Criteria of Personal, Boys', and Girls' Popularity as Ranked by Greek Adolescents

Abstract

This study examined what Greek adolescents believe are the most important criteria of personal, boys', and girls' popularity in their age group. Participants were 364 students aged between 12 and 15 years. Seven main criteria of popularity were identified: sport competence, physical appearance, academic ability, being a good friend, being sociable, having a good sense of humor, and having the ‘right circle of friends'. With regard to personal popularity, being a good friend and being sociable were the two most highly ranked criteria for both boys and girls across all ages. Boys and girls perceived differently the most important criteria of boys' and girls' popularity. Specifically, for same-sex popularity, being a good friend was the most highly ranked criterion, whereas for other-sex popularity, physical attractiveness was the most highly ranked criterion. The findings imply that friendship and social affiliation are the most important criteria of popularity in Greek adolescents.