The role of reciprocity and proximity in junior high school friendships

Intelligence, personality, physical attractiveness, popularity, and proximity were measured for junior high school students and reciprocated adolescents were perceived as more attractive, had higher social status, and were more committed to their best friend than nonreciprocated adolescents.

Abstract

The relationship of reciprocity, sex, and race to friendship proximity in adolescent friendships was studied. Intelligence, personality, physical attractiveness, popularity, and proximity were measured for 136 junior high school students. Subjects were classified as either having reciprocated or nonreciprocated friendships. Reciprocated adolescents were perceived as more attractive, had higher social status, and were more committed to their best friend than nonreciprocated adolescents. More black than white students were in the nonreciprocated group. White students had more in-school contact and black students more out-of-school contact with their friends.