The Consequences of Peer Rejection

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Some of us were the popular kids in school, while others were the outcasts. Is there something inside us that determines if we become popular? Do the peer rejects or social outcasts suffer from long term consequences because they were not accepted? Research says yes. There is a consequence for peer rejection that is long term. But, the determining factor of what makes children deemed popular is another story. The study of social outcasts among children has a long tradition in developmental psychology. This topic has played a renowned role in social developmental research. The influential consequence of being rejected or bullied is one reason this topic plays such a renowned role in research. Rejected and bullied children are at risk for a range of subsequent problems, including dropping out of school, compromised mental health, and criminality (Price, J. M.). The influences of peer rejection consists of low academic achievement, delinquent behavior, and mental health problems well into adulthood. There has been considerable research detailing peer rejection. The period of middle to late childhood, covering roughly the period from 6 years to 11 or 12 years, is characterized by a great deal of change and growth in interpersonal skills and in the context and quality of children’s peer relationships (Parker, J., Rubin, K., Erath, S., Wojslawowicz, J., & Buskirk, A.). Peer interactions are greatly valuable to developing identity and intimacy, the normal psychosocial development of unpopular children lags behind their peers. Efforts to "catch up" to the dominant popular group of peers are likely to fail and result in even greater rejection. In search of balancing for the lack of peer interactions the unpopular or rejected children may ... ... middle of paper ... ...onships/Peer%20Relationships,%20Child%20Development,%20and%20Adjustment.pdf Price, J. M. (). Peer Rejection And Social Information-Processing Factors In The Development Of Aggressive Behavior Problems In Children. Child Development, 74, 374-393. Rose, A. J., & Cillessen, A. (). Understanding Popularity In The Peer System. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14, 102-105. Rose, Amanda J.; Asher, Steven R. (2000). Children’s friendships. In Hendrick, Clyde, (Ed); Hendrick, Susan S., (Ed) Close relationships: A sourcebook. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.. p. 47-57. Welsh, J., & Bierman, K. (n.d.). Social Competence - Importance of social competence, Social competence deficits and peer rejection, Developmental changes and social competence. Social Competence. Retrieved March 15, 2014, from http://psychology.jrank.org/pages/591/Social-Competence.html

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