Causes of peer rejection and its consequences for the school age child

The main purpose of the article is an attempt to answer the question: What are the causes and what can be the consequences of peer rejection experienced by the child in the early school period. The text presents a theoretical model of peer rejection based on four mechanisms taking place in peer groups. On the basis of empirical studies, the relationship is shown between aggressive and prosocial behaviors of the child and the experience of rejection. Aggressive behaviors may be both the cause and the consequence of the child’s rejection by his or her peers. The co-occurrence of aggression and rejection results in perpetuating negative interpersonal relationships. Prosocial behaviors are conducive to a change of the negative social status and are an important factor in social development. The final part describes the consequences of early peer rejection, showing it to be stable over time, and carry the risk of social exclusion