Dominance-Popularity Status, Behavior, and the Emergence of Sexual Activity in Young Adolescents

Abstract

In this paper, we investigated the sexual activity levels of several subtypes of middle adolescents (age 14–15 years). The subtype profiles were based on dominance-popularity status and a range of behaviors associated with dominance and popularity. In addition, gender differences in behavioral profiles were examined among dominant-popular, sexually active young adolescents. Results showed that socially dominant and popular young adolescent boys who exhibited a highly aggressive profile were more sexually active than their low-status and non-aggressive male peers; dominant-popular girls who were very attractive and gossips were more sexually active than their female peers. The results are discussed from an evolutionary psychological framework.