Opposites detract: middle school peer group antipathies.
This study examines variability in patterns of peer group antipathy. Same-grade adolescent peer groups were identified from sociometric nominations of preferred affiliates in a community sample of 600 Finnish ninth-grade middle school students (mean age=15.0 years). Hierarchical linear modeling determined characteristics of youths in actor groups (nominators) that predicted antipathy for youths in target groups (nominatees) on the basis of target group characteristics. Most antipathies were based on dissimilarity between groups representing the mainstream culture and groups opposed to it. The higher a peer group's school burnout, the more its members disliked students in peer groups with higher school grades and students in peer groups with higher sports participation. Conversely, the higher a peer group's school grades, the more its members disliked students in peer groups with higher school burnout. Students in peer groups with less problem behavior disliked students in peer groups with more problem behavior. There was some evidence of rivalry within the mainstream culture: The higher a group's school grades, the more its members disliked groups whose members participated in sports.
Laursen
Brett
B
Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA. laursen@fau.edu
Bukowski
William M
WM
Nurmi
Jari-Eri
JE
Marion
Donna
D
Salmela-Aro
Katariina
K
Kiuru
Noona
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000378:Agonistic Behavior; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012918:Social Alienation; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D012963:Sociometric Techniques; D013177:Sports