Chinese and American children’s perceptions of popularity determinants: Cultural differences and behavioral correlates

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate cultural construction of children’s perceptions of popularity determinants using a cross-cultural approach. This study examined 327 Chinese and 312 American fifth-graders’ perceptions of what individual characteristics and peer relationships would make a peer popular. Consistent with cultural emphases, Chinese children primarily endorsed prosocial behaviors and academic competence and perceived opposite gender interactions unfavorably. In contrast, American children endorsed more social connections, appearance and opposite gender interactions. Compared with American children, Chinese children perceived antisocial behaviors more unfavorably. For both cultural groups, children’s popularity status and behavioral characteristics, as measured by peer nominations, related to their perceptions of popularity determinants. Discussions regarding cultural implications of these findings are provided.