B2 – Upper Intermediate
We’ve seen movies about high school life where students are divided into popular ones, who are at the top of the hierarchy, the nerds, who are at the bottom and somewhere in between are the less cool kids. The popular ones tend to bully the nerds and the ones in the middle are playing along with it. This is a reality. In all social groups, there are leaders, followers, and the oppressed.
Let’s watch the video and learn more about the likely future of these youngsters.
Discussion Questions:
- How would you classify your status when you were still in high school? Were you one of the popular or nerdy ones?
- What are your experiences with popular and nerdy kids?
- Explain instrumental targeting. Have you been a subject of it? Have you ever used this approach?
- Describe the high school reunion effect.
- Do you agree with the study that nerds/geeks are more likely to be successful in adulthood?
2 replies on “Nerds vs Popular Kids: Who Wins in Adulthood?”
– How would you classify your status when you were still in high school? Were you one of the popular or nerdy ones?
I think I was nerdy, I am sure that I was not popular. 🙂 I was always with nerds in school. It’s true that I have never been bullied and I have seen little. It is horrible. I played video games, freak cards, etc. Popular people played sports.
– What are your experiences with popular and nerdy kids?
My experience with popular people was good, I had no problems with them. On occasions they passed the red line with classmates but direction school reacted fast. The nerdy kids usually went to their things, they didn’t hurt anyone.
– Explain instrumental targeting. Have you been a subject of it? Have you ever used this approach?
The instrumental targeting is the use of abuse against a person to grow socially. If you abuse the same people that the popular group, they accept you more.
I have never seen and have done these actions. In Spain there is no popular group, but there are people or groups that abuse others, not to join the group, just for fun.
– Describe the high school reunion effect.
I have never gone to a high school reunion, but I have seen people in my town from school and it is incredible the paths that each one of us has been taking.
– Do you agree with the study that nerds/geeks are more likely to be successful in adulthood?
I think that nerds/geeks get better or more important jobs because in lower studies they try harder to study. They tend to stand out more academically and that opens many doors for them. To achieve this affects many things and it depends on whether it is to achieve success.
Well done sharing your insights on this topic. You have written good answers to our questions.
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