Characteristics Associated with Popularity among Different Racial and Socioeconomic Groups of Children

A reputation test was used to discover the characteristics associated with popularity among children in sixth grade classrooms differing in SES and racial composition. The relationship of SES, race, sex of rater, and sex of ratee to the correlates of popularity was studied. Contrary to expectation, culturally deprived children showed higher associations between popularity and characteristics compatible with success in the school situation than did children not culturally deprived. Race and sex differences in the correlates of popularity were found. It was concluded that generalities about the norms and values of children from various SES groups may not reflect the prevalent norms and values among children from a specific SES level in a classroom setting.