Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
08:38
A System for Tracking the Dynamics of Social Preference Behavior in Small Rodents
Published on: November 21, 2019
Popularity and adolescent friendship networks: selection and influence dynamics
Jan Kornelis Dijkstra1, Antonius H N Cillessen, Casey Borch
1Department of Sociology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. jan.dijkstra@rug.nl
Developmental Psychology
|September 19, 2012
Summary
Adolescents seek higher popularity friends, influencing network dynamics. Peer selection and influence shape adolescent popularity over time, reinforcing social hierarchies in middle school.
Area of Science:
- Social Network Analysis
- Developmental Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Adolescent friendships are crucial for social development.
- Popularity dynamics within peer groups are complex and merit further investigation.
- Understanding social selection and influence is key to adolescent social network analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the longitudinal dynamics of popularity in adolescent friendship networks over three years.
- To identify the roles of selection and influence in the similarity of popularity among friends.
- To test hypotheses regarding how adolescents of different popularity statuses interact.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal social network modeling was employed.
- Data were collected over three years from middle school students.
- Statistical analyses focused on selection and influence processes.
Main Results:
- Adolescents tend to affiliate with peers of similar or higher popularity.
- Selection processes partially explained popularity similarity among friends.
- Influence processes also contributed to popularity similarity over time, as friends' popularity levels converged.
- Results supported the hypothesis that lower-status adolescents seek higher-status peers, while higher-status peers maintain distance.
Conclusions:
- Both selection and influence are significant mechanisms driving popularity dynamics in adolescent networks.
- These processes contribute to the stability of individual popularity and reinforce social hierarchies.
- Adolescent peer interactions actively shape and maintain social status within friendship networks.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Friendships and Close Friendships
Friendship formation is a dynamic process shaped by psychological, cultural, and social factors. Friendships play a crucial role in emotional well-being, social development, and personal identity from childhood to adulthood.Childhood and Early FriendshipsFriendships in childhood often arise due to shared environments, such as school or neighborhood interactions. At this stage, proximity and common interests serve as the primary basis for connection. As children grow, their friendships evolve...
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
02:12Relationship Formation
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
01:22Factors Influencing Attraction I: Proximity
Proximity plays a fundamental role in shaping interpersonal attraction by increasing opportunities for interaction and fostering familiarity. Research consistently demonstrates that individuals are more likely to form social bonds with those who are physically closer to them, whether in residential settings, workplaces, or educational institutions. This effect is largely driven by the increased frequency of encounters, which facilitates the development of friendships and romantic...
01:29Factors Influencing Attraction V: Social Skills
Social skills play a crucial role in shaping interpersonal interactions and enhancing individuals' ability to navigate various social environments successfully. These skills contribute to personal and professional success, influencing how others perceive and treat individuals. High social skills provide distinct advantages in numerous settings, including romantic relationships, politics, and legal proceedings. In courtroom settings, for instance, defendants who exhibit strong social skills are...
01:29Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings
Other adult family members and siblings play a crucial role in shaping children’s social and emotional development. While parents or primary caregivers are often the central figures in early attachment and socialization, other adults in a child’s life, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, can significantly influence developmental outcomes. These influences depend on each adult’s personality and may help compensate when a primary caregiver is emotionally distant or inconsistent. For...