Are the most popular teens feared and loved? To test that theory, researchers from FAU and the University of Montreal followed 568 girls and boys in seventh and eighth grade for two years. Classmates identified those that were aggressive, prosocial, and popular. The team identified three groups of popular adolescents: prosocial popular, aggressive popular, and bistrategic popular, or Machiavellian.

The bistrategic group, those that are feared and loved, were the most popular and ranked above average on physical and relational aggression, as well as prosocial behavior. They were seen by peers as disruptive and angry, but were otherwise well adjusted. “Bistrategic adolescents are noteworthy…for the way they balance getting their way with getting along,” said FAU psychologist Brett Laursen.”

• Brett Laursen