This study is concerned with a cross-cultural investigation of adolescent perceptions of popularity. In contrast to previous approaches, this study was designed to uncover factors determined by adolescents themselves. Using unconstrained methods of analyzing and interpreting data, we are allowed to increase the possibility of new findings. The purpose of this study was to identify naturally emerging categories used by adolescents in describing popular peers and to explore for possible dimensions that underlie the categories. Nineteen categories were identified. Some of these were similar to categories surfaced by previous research; others, like group-benefitted attributes, and qualities of social interaction, were previously unknown. The dimensions of adolescent popularity were suggested as Relational Orientation versus Appearance and Status and Ascribed versus Achieved. Cross-cultural comparisons were made through the use of sorting procedures, chi-square analysis, cluster analysis, and multidimensional scaling (ALSCAL & INDSCAL). By conceptualizing culture itself as a theoretical variable, interpretations were based on two lines: cultural-developmental tasks and the cultural dimension of collectivism versus individualism.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UMASS/oai:scholarworks.umass.edu:dissertations-8489 |
| Date | 01 January 1992 |
| Creators | Chen, Feching |
| Publisher | ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst |
| Source Sets | University of Massachusetts, Amherst |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest |
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