Relationship–interpersonal and relationship–intrapersonal correlations
To test whether children’s actual and preferred physical distance to a specific classmate was associated
with likeability and popularity, the relationship–intrapersonal and relationship–interpersonal
correlations were examined (see Table 4). The relationship–intrapersonal correlations indicated no
significant correlations between actual distance and likeability and popularity. This means that children
did not rate specific classmates higher on likeability or popularity when they sat closer to them.
With regard to preferred distance, a negative correlation with likeability and popularity was found.
This means that if children liked a specific classmate or perceived the classmate as popular, they
placed that classmate closer to themselves. Finally, the relationship–intrapersonal correlation showed
that if children liked a specific peer, they also rated the peer as more popular and vice versa.