Comments on: Does your status need a boost? Beat someone up on YouTube. http://www.mayeuxresearch.com/2008/04/10/does-your-status-need-a-boost-beat-someone-up-on-youtube/ Research in peers, popularity and developmental psychology Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:18:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Lara http://www.mayeuxresearch.com/2008/04/10/does-your-status-need-a-boost-beat-someone-up-on-youtube/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Lara Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:42:12 +0000 http://www.mayeuxresearch.com/?p=25#comment-42 Sophie, I think there are plenty of kids who would be as appalled as you and I would have been. But I also think that there's a group that would be kicking themselves that they didn't think of a stunt like this first. Look how effective it was at getting these kids some attention! I'm not sure this was the kind of attention they had anticipated, but kids are talking, that's for sure. Peter, I think it's important to distinguish between physical or overt forms of aggression, and relational or social aggression. The girls in this video were being very physical! So in terms of discussing relational aggression, you have a good point. Some relational aggression is probably meant to stay underground, and some is likely meant to be discussed--but both kinds can lead to status gains. I don't think social media tool are necessary for establishing (or maintaining) status--but it looks like they sure can help. Sophie, I think there are plenty of kids who would be as appalled as you and I would have been. But I also think that there’s a group that would be kicking themselves that they didn’t think of a stunt like this first. Look how effective it was at getting these kids some attention! I’m not sure this was the kind of attention they had anticipated, but kids are talking, that’s for sure.

Peter, I think it’s important to distinguish between physical or overt forms of aggression, and relational or social aggression. The girls in this video were being very physical! So in terms of discussing relational aggression, you have a good point. Some relational aggression is probably meant to stay underground, and some is likely meant to be discussed–but both kinds can lead to status gains. I don’t think social media tool are necessary for establishing (or maintaining) status–but it looks like they sure can help.

]]> By: Peter http://www.mayeuxresearch.com/2008/04/10/does-your-status-need-a-boost-beat-someone-up-on-youtube/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Peter Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:17:55 +0000 http://www.mayeuxresearch.com/?p=25#comment-40 How important is "promotion" in relational aggression? If no one hears about it - how effective is any act of aggression if knowledge of the act doesn't trickle down to the peer group? If the purpose is to advance or protect your peer status - wouldn't broadcasting the incident be a useful tool in achieving your status goal? My non-scientific explanation is that the a peer's experience of watching the incident or having knowledge of the incident creates fear - fear of violence, fear of humiliation. I suppose others might appreciate how effective broadcasting the event is on youtube, but I bet they fear them even more. So, are these social media tools now necessary tools in establishing one's desired peer status? How important is “promotion” in relational aggression? If no one hears about it - how effective is any act of aggression if knowledge of the act doesn’t trickle down to the peer group? If the purpose is to advance or protect your peer status - wouldn’t broadcasting the incident be a useful tool in achieving your status goal? My non-scientific explanation is that the a peer’s experience of watching the incident or having knowledge of the incident creates fear - fear of violence, fear of humiliation. I suppose others might appreciate how effective broadcasting the event is on youtube, but I bet they fear them even more.

So, are these social media tools now necessary tools in establishing one’s desired peer status?

]]> By: Sophie http://www.mayeuxresearch.com/2008/04/10/does-your-status-need-a-boost-beat-someone-up-on-youtube/comment-page-1/#comment-38 Sophie Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:38:40 +0000 http://www.mayeuxresearch.com/?p=25#comment-38 Wow, do you really think other students admire the incident? I don't recall admiring mean people when I was in HS. Have kids changed so much? Creepy. Wow, do you really think other students admire the incident? I don’t recall admiring mean people when I was in HS. Have kids changed so much? Creepy.

]]> By: Lara http://www.mayeuxresearch.com/2008/04/10/does-your-status-need-a-boost-beat-someone-up-on-youtube/comment-page-1/#comment-37 Lara Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:30:54 +0000 http://www.mayeuxresearch.com/?p=25#comment-37 Danielle, what a kind thing to say. I'm glad you're here--welcome! Good luck with the thesis and I'm looking forward to hearing about your study. Keep me posted! Danielle, what a kind thing to say. I’m glad you’re here–welcome! Good luck with the thesis and I’m looking forward to hearing about your study. Keep me posted!

]]> By: Danielle http://www.mayeuxresearch.com/2008/04/10/does-your-status-need-a-boost-beat-someone-up-on-youtube/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Danielle Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:23:46 +0000 http://www.mayeuxresearch.com/?p=25#comment-36 Dr. Mayeux, I'm so excited to have found your site! I'm a master's student in Canada and I study relational aggression. I'm most interested in the relationship between social status and aggression and I'm looking at that for my thesis this year. I absolutely love your work and I'm so excited to read here about forthcoming studies. Thanks for the inspiration! Dr. Mayeux, I’m so excited to have found your site! I’m a master’s student in Canada and I study relational aggression. I’m most interested in the relationship between social status and aggression and I’m looking at that for my thesis this year. I absolutely love your work and I’m so excited to read here about forthcoming studies. Thanks for the inspiration!

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