Bringing together leading researchers, this is the first volume to comprehensively examine popularity among children and adolescents: what it is, how it is attained, and its impact on peer interaction and individual development. The book clarifies how popularity is distinct from being socially accepted or well liked and how it is different for girls and boys. Behaviors that characterize popular peers are explored, as are the developmental benefits and risks of popularity and its connections to peer influence processes. Innovative measurement approaches and research designs are clearly described.
Revisionism has had a far-reaching impact upon the history of politics and religion in early Stuart Britain. The essays collected here were originally published in 2002, and set out to assess this impact and develop further some of the central themes highlighted in the work of the historian Conrad Russell, and address a series of themes arising out of recent debates on the causes of the English Civil War. The subject-matter ranges from high-political narrative to the study of rumour, gossip, and print culture. Topics covered include the character of Charles I's kingship, the place of Parliament in the political system, the divisive legacy of the English Reformation, and the problems posed by trying to unite England with Scotland and Ireland. The collection will interest readers concerned with the political and religious history, and also the literature, of early seventeenth-century Britain.
The Middle English romance has elicited throughout the centuries a curious mixture of indifference,hostile apprehension, and contempt that perhaps no other literature--except its most likely offspring, modern best-sellers--has provoked.
Why are we fascinated by the red carpet? What fascinates us about Top 10 Lists and awards shows? How important is it that we have the newest gadgets, buy the newest albums, and see the best movies on opening weekend? This book deconstructs one of the most universally impactful aspects of our global society. This book dissects the concept of popularity in more than a dozen major areas of modern life to gain a better understanding of the force that drives so much of our culture. Some of the book’s most controversial, enlightening, and thought-provoking insights include: Advertising – Crossing a bridge between reality and fantasy Television – Live vicariously through the dangerous lives of others Politics – Everyone wants to see a good fight Media – We just want a story; we don’t care if it’s true Comedy – Remind us that life isn’t great, but it could be worse Business – Trying to be friends (and customers) with the cool kids Art – Finding some sort of meaning in ourselves, not the art Internet – Everyone wants to be someone else Academics – Destroy the past, redefine the future Music – Tell us your story, and break our hearts with it Fashion – The weirder, the better Writing – Lying to yourself and finding new truths Environment – Being a part of something greater Sports – At least we’ll all have something to talk about…
