Exploring the Relationship Between Peer Popularity and Self-Perceived Likeability In Adolescence

Abstract

The current study looked at the relationship between peer-rated popularity and self-perceptions of popularity in adolescence. Using hierarchical analysis, we looked at a longitudinal sample of middle schoolers aged 12 to 14 from a mid-sized Northeastern city. We found that popularity had a positive relationship with self-perceptions of likeability over time – as peer-nominated popularity increases, so too do perceptions of being liked. Individual differences in initial status and self-perceptions of likeability aside, the strengths of these effects were different for boys and girls, as well as different for boys between grades. Our findings suggest that popular teens feel as though they are liked more than they are, which may explain the prevalence of aggressive and negative behaviors commonly seen in popular youth of this age group. Our findings also suggest that as boys go through middle school, they become more aware of their actual likeability levels compared to girls. Implications and limitations are discussed further. Keywords: Adolescence, self-perceptions, popularity, HLM, longitudinal