Coolness and Social Goals: Influence on Subsequent Aggression and Engagement During Early Adolescence

• In Event: Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: Motivation in Education SIG Poster Session 2

Abstract

This study examined associations among coolness, social goals, aggression, and academic engagement, and whether social goals and gender moderate associations across the sixth grade. Students (N=347; 49% females) self-reported social goals (popularity, dominance, intimacy) and engagement (involved, disruptive) and peer-reported coolness and aggression (overt, relational). Results indicated relations between coolness, goals, aggression, and engagement, and goals and gender moderated associations. Cool youth endorsing intimacy goals and cool boys with low popularity goals or high dominance goals had higher overt aggression. Cool youth endorsing dominance goals and cool girls endorsing popularity goals had higher relational aggression. Youth endorsing popularity goals and cool youth endorsing dominance goals reported higher disruptive behavior. Implications for research on adolescent coolness and social motivation are discussed.

Authors

• Sarah M. Kiefer, University of South Florida

• Joy Huanhuan Wang, University of South Florida