Peer acceptance
Peer acceptance refers to likeability or the extent to which a child is viewed by peers as a worthy or desirable social partner. Likeability differs from friendship as it is a one sided perspective that involves a groups view about an individual. These relate to popular children, rejected children, controversial children and neglected children.
Contrary to expectations, neglected children are often found to be well adjusted. Although they often play by themselves they can successfully integrate with other children. This is perhaps a reminder that an outgoing, extraverted personality is not the only route to emotional well being.
Peer acceptance in middle childhood is an important predictor of psychological adjustment. Peer rejection, if sustained over a long period, is correlated with depression, antisocial behaviour, poor school performance, absenteeism, substance misuse and delinquency in adolescence.
Select the buttons below to learn how different types of children relate to their peers.
Neglected Children: This category consists of children who are rarely mentioned either positively or negatively. Many are just as socially skilled as the average child and do not report feeling lonely or unhappy.
Popular Children: Those who receive many positive responses from their peers in terms of likability i.e. they are well liked.
Rejected Children: Those who receive many negative responses from their peers and are actually disliked. These children may also misinterpret the innocent behaviours and motives of their peers as hostile or blame others for their behavioural difficulties.
Controversial Children: Children who receive a large number of both positive and negative responses from their peers, in other words they are both liked and disliked.
Rejected Withdrawn Children: They can be overwhelmed by social anxiety and may worry about being picked on by their peers.