The Implications of Having High‐achieving Versus Low‐achieving Friends: A Longitudinal Analysis

Abstract

Abstract The present research examines the achievement‐related implications of establishing friendships with high‐achieving versus low‐achieving classmates. Fifth‐ , sixth‐ , and seventh‐grade students ( N= 929) participated. During the fall and spring semesters, the report card grades of children and their friends were obtained and children completed questionnaire measures of their self‐evaluative beliefs and preference for challenge. Results suggest that for low‐achieving students there are tradeoffs associated with establishing and maintaining friendships with high‐achieving classmates. Specifically, low achievers who established and maintained friendships with high‐achieving friends evaluated themselves less positively, but also performed better academically, than low achievers with similarly low‐achieving friends. Fewer tradeoffs emerged for high achievers.