How adolescents' popularity perceptions change: Measuring interactions between popularity and friendship networks

Longitudinal multivariate social network analysis (N=3692 adolescents; 136 classrooms) showed that adolescents were more likely to perceive their friends as popular but did not choose peers that they perceived to be popular as friends. Adolescents aligned their perceptions of popularity with their friends. Adolescents who received many popularity nominations attracted more popularity but not more friendship. Friends of peers seen as popular by an individual were more likely to be seen as popular by that individual. These results highlight the importance of describing popularity as a network, exploring dyadic, triadic, and group processes separately.

Automated summary

Longitudinal multivariate social network analysis of 3692 adolescents in 136 classrooms revealed that adolescents perceive their friends as popular but do not choose popular peers as friends. Adolescents align their perceptions of popularity with their friends. Those who receive many popularity nominations gain more popularity but not more friendship. Friends of peers seen as popular are more likely to be seen as popular.