Queen
Bees and RMGs
Multiple
studies have found a positive link between relational aggression
levels and “popularity” among adolescent girls. “Popular,” in
this context, did not equate to “well-liked.” The meaning seemed
to be closer to the adult concepts “influential” and “prominent”
with the overtones of “powerful” inherent in those terms. Furthermore, researchers have found
that relational aggressiveness is a predictor of future popularity
among girls.
So
the widespread image of the aggressive girl—the malicious, socially
adroit Queen Bee, surrounded by her retinue of followers—is more
than a favored villain in Hollywood comedies about adolescent
girls. She’s a reality, a predictable (if not particularly laudable)
product of uncounted generations of societal development and millions
of years of evolution.
Her
clique is both the confirmation of her status and a means of maintaining
it. Through her followers, she can spread the gossip, slanders
and embarrassing secrets with which she undermines the reputations,
social acceptance and confidence of her victims. Even her followers
aren’t immune from attack. Like all tyrannies, the basis of her
power is fear and insecurity. Indeed, the followers of a ruthless
Queen Bee may be at particular risk because the exclusivity of
the clique leaves members with few outside friends to turn to
if they are expelled from the clique.
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