Clique

Clique

A clique (AusE, CanE, UK: or US: ), in the social sciences, is a group of individuals who interact with one another and share similar interests. Interacting with cliques is part of normative social development regardless of gender, ethnicity or popularity. Although cliques are most commonly studied during adolescence and middle childhood development, they exist in all age groups. Typically, people in a clique will not have a complete open friend group, and can therefore "ban" members of the clique if they do something that is considered unacceptable, such as talking to someone generally disliked by the clique. People who are part of a clique are bonded together through shared and similar social characteristics such as race, ethnicity, economic status and physical appearance.Being part of a clique is usually seen as a norm in society regardless of status. Cliques are most likely prevalent during teenage years, but are found in other age groups. Cliques may be formed among, for example, athletes, nerds, workmates, fraternities, sororities, and cheerleaders. Cohesive factors may include ethnicity, similar interest, and physical appearance. Members of a clique often isolate themselves as a group and tend to view the clique as superior to anyone outside the clique.

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