5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Be In the In crowd

Posted on December 23, 2014

Photo: flickr

As our mothers used to say – being popular and in the in crowd isn’t everything. In fact, science says that being cool isn’t actually cool either.

Here’s why:

1) Herd mentality negatively affects our ability to make the right decisions. According to a recent study at the University of Exeter, copying others causes people to stop responding to changes in their natural environment. People stop trusting their own instincts (which are usually correct) and simply do what others do. In other words, people, please stop being sheeple.

2) Teenage cool kids turn into uncool adults anyway, according to a new study from the Society for Research in Child Development. "Teens who were romantically involved at an early age, engaged in delinquent activity, and placed a premium on hanging out with physically attractive peers" were considered to be popular; however, by the time they were in their early 20s, "those once-cool teens were rated by their peers as being less competent in managing social relationships…more likely to have significant problems with alcohol and drugs, and to have engaged in criminal activities," say researchers.

3) Shyness actually makes your brain work better. Recent findings suggest that shy introverts "have rich, complex inner lives and a better ability to process the world around them." In the workplace, sensitive wallflowers may also be "better bosses and leaders in certain situations." Not surprisingly, extroverts have a greater tendency for getting into conflicts with colleagues.

4) Popularity makes you more vulnerable. Researcher and professor, Joseph Allen says, "The very thing that makes teenagers popular – being in tune with the needs and norms of their peers – can have negative consequences.
" Perhaps, they realize just how unstable popularity can be. Just look at any celebrity tabloid magazine to see the proof.


5) No one actually likes the popular kids. In a Scooby-doo turn of events, turns out being popular and liked are not the same thing – in fact, popular people aren’t usually well liked at all. Researchers have found popularity increases "relational aggression", which includes spreading gossip, taunting and bullying, and being generally awful to everyone so they can maintain their elevated social status. None of these qualities scream best friend, if you know what I mean.


Category(s):Self-Esteem

Source material from Psychology Today