Countless studies have explored the characteristics associated with likability and popularity within childhood peer groups. Anecdotally, most of us know from real-life experience what tends to make some kids more popular than others.
Surprisingly, until now, "being fun" has been overlooked by most researchers; this characteristic is conspicuously absent from previous research on childhood social status (i.e., likability, popularity).
A new study (Laursen et al., 2020) found that "some portion of peer status is uniquely derived from the perception that one is fun to be around." Before the coronavirus pandemic and school closures due to stay-at-home orders, researchers from Florida Atlantic University in the U.S.
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