BFFsNavigating the Middle
School Social Scene
Cathi Cohen LCSW, CGPDirector – In Stepwww.insteppc.com703-876-8480Email: [email protected]
MiddleSchooler
Hormones
Selfdoubts
Popularity
Power ControlSeparation
Individuation
FittingIn
Bullying
What You See The Downside Self-absorption
Girls fight; Boys withdraw
Moodiness
Push and pull
Inside = Self-doubtsOutside = Know it all
Pro-Social Popular• Helpful• Affiliative• Comfortable with their social status• Academically engaged• Well-liked• Optimistic• Good social skills
Populistic• Popular but NOT well-liked• Relationally aggressive• Academically disengaged• Influential• Arrogant• Bullies or henchman
Socially rejected Rejected Aggressor/Victim
•Low social status•Bully to defend•Reactive to perceived threats•Easily angered•Rule breaking
Rejected Victim
•Low social status•Sensitive and reactive•Interpret social cues inaccurately
Floater• Moderate social status• Comfortable with self and others• Quality friendships• Move easily among different groups
“ When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” Mark Twain
Cathi Cohen LCSWDirector In Stepwww.insteppc.com703-876-8480Facebook: Raise Your Child’s Social IQ
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