Popularity in Early Adolescence: Prosocial and Antisocial Subtypes

The present study was designed to examine early adolescents’ stereotypical descriptions of two types of youth who are seen as popular by their peers. Participants were 13- to 14-year-old early adolescents (N = 287). The results indicated that early adolescents distinguished two types of popular peers: a “populistic” (popular but not necessarily well liked) type and a “prosocial-popular” (popular and well liked and accepted) type. These two types differed in terms of academic and interpersonal behaviors. Populistic adolescents were seen as relationally aggressive, stuck up, vulgar, bullies, and academically disengaged. They were also seen as leaders, influential, and arrogant more than were prosocial-popular adolescents. Adolescents in the latter group were seen as affiliative, helpful, and academically engaged. Both types of popular youth were seen as attractive and fashionable. The implications of these findings for future research on high status in the adolescent peer group are discussed.