The current studies addressed the associations of classroom seating
arrangements with peer status using the social relations model.
Study 1 examined whether physical distance between classmates
was associated with likeability and popularity. Participants were
336 children from 14 fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms
(Mage = 11.36 years, 47.3% boys). Children who sat closer to the center
of the classroom were liked more. Moreover, classmates who sat
closer together liked each other more and perceived each other as
more popular. Study 2 examined whether children’s likeability
and popularity judgments were also reflected in the way they positioned
themselves relative to their peers when they could arrange
their classroom themselves. Participants were 158 children from
6 fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms (Mage = 11.64 years, 50.5% boys).
Participants placed liked and popular peers closer to themselves
than disliked and unpopular peers. If children placed a classmate
closer to themselves, they perceived that peer as better liked and
more popular and were perceived as better liked and more popular
in return. Implications for further research on classroom seating
arrangements and peer relationships are discussed.