Sociometric status, commonly referred as popularity, is one the most significant predictors of victimization or bullying behaviors. Although it is commonly believed that aggressive adolescents belong to rejected social groups, some research shows that they can be, in fact, popular among their peers. Rodkin et al. (2000), for example, describes two types of popular boys: ”model” boys, who are “physically and academically competent, friendly and neither shy nor aggressive. Second type is described as ‘though” and are “aggressive, physically competent, and average or below average in friendliness, academic competence, and shyness.” Usually the more popular aggressive adolescents use instrumental aggression and not reactive aggression Intstrumental aggression is defined as behavior that is deliberate and planned while reactive aggression is unplanned and impulsive. Relational aggression can be greatly instrumental for maintaining the popularity status of the group and specific relationships and dynamics inside the group. Ojala and Nesdale (2004) found that both victims and bullies normally come from rejected groups. Bullies chose to bully students, who are members of their social out-groups that are similar to their own in- group as a result of threatened distinctiveness. Hence, the need to maintain a unique social identity and status can be one of the causes to engage in bullying. Using relational aggression to maintain a particular social order inside the group has been mostly observed in girl groups: if some member of the group becomes too popular and this causes imbalance in the group, other members might start rumors about the overly popular girl to diminish her statue Amanda Rose et al. (2004) claims that the main purpose of using relational aggression in first place is to enhance or maintain one’s social status. Many skills that are needed to be popular are also essential for being “successful” at employing relational aggression, e.g. ability to “read” people and adjust one’s behavior accordingly, etc. The researcher suggests that some aggressive boys popular because they are also good at using relational aggression, and, therefore, their primary reason for popularity is not their physical aggression but relational aggression.
- Education Topics
- Achievement Gap
- Alternative Education
- American Education Awards
- Assessment & Evaluation
- Education during COVID-19
- Education Economics
- Education Environment
- Education in the United States during COVID-19
- Education Issues
- Education Policy
- Education Psychology
- Education Scandals and Controversies
- Education Reform
- Education Theory
- Education Worldwide
- Educational Leadership
- Educational Philosophy
- Educational Research
- Educational Technology
- Federal Education Legislation
- Higher Education Worldwide
- Homeless Education
- Homeschooling in the United States
- Migrant Education
- Neglected/Deliquent Students
- Pedagogy
- Sociology of Education
- Special Needs
- National Directories
- After School Programs
- Alternative Schools
- The Arts
- At-Risk Students
- Camps
- Camp Services
- Colleges & Universities
- Counties
- Driving Schools
- Educational Businesses
- Financial Aid
- Higher Education
- International Programs
- Jewish Community Centers
- K-12 Schools
- Language Studies
- Libraries
- Organizations
- Preschools
- Professional Development
- Prom Services
- School Assemblies
- School Districts
- School Field Trips
- School Health
- School Supplies
- School Travel
- School Vendors
- Schools Worldwide
- Special Education
- Special Needs
- Study Abroad
- Teaching Abroad
- Volunteer Programs
- Youth Sports
- For Schools
- Academic Standards
- Assembly Programs
- Blue Ribbon Schools Program
- Educational Accreditation
- Educational Television Channels
- Education in the United States
- History of Education in the United States
- Reading Education in the U.S.
- School Grades
- School Meal Programs
- School Types
- School Uniforms
- Special Education in the United States
- Systems of Formal Education
- U.S. Education Legislation
- For Teachers
- Academic Dishonesty
- Childcare State Licensing Requirements
- Classroom Management
- Education Subjects
- Educational Practices
- Educational Videos
- Interdisciplinary Teaching
- Job and Interview Tips
- Lesson Plans | Grades
- Professional Development
- State Curriculum Standards
- Substitute Teaching
- Teacher Salary
- Teacher Training Programs
- Teaching Methods
- Training and Certification
- For Students
- Academic Competitions
- Admissions Testing
- At-Risk Students
- Career Planning
- College Admissions
- Drivers License
- Educational Programs
- Educational Television
- Educational Videos
- High School Dropouts
- Higher Education
- School Health
- Senior Proms
- Sex Education
- Standardized Testing
- Student Financial Aid
- Student Television Stations
- Summer Learning Loss