“They might not like you but everyone knows you”: Popularity among teenage girls.

Abstract

There is a wealth of research on popularity among adolescents, mainly conducted in the United States. This study utilised a stimulus vignette and semi-structured focus group interviews to investigate teenage girls’ (15 year olds, n = 40) constructions of popularity in two schools of diverse socio-economic background in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia. An intensive thematic analysis revealed that the girls perceived popular same-sex peers to be publicly visible, prominent and prestigious and not necessarily well liked. In both schools, popular girls were seen to be physically and fashionably attractive and from wealthier backgrounds. Popular girls projected an image of being anti-school and antisocial rule breakers including smoking, drinking and taking drugs, more-so in the low income school. High status girls were seen as powerful and influential and they used their power in intimidating and aggressive ways including verbal harassment of peers, spreading of mean rumours and manipulation of friendships.