Social cognitiv ep redictors of peer acceptance at ag e5 and the moderating effects of gender

In this study we examined the effects of social intelligence, empathy, verbal ability and appearance–reality distinction on the level of peer acceptance, as wel la st he moderating role of gender .P articipants wer e9 8fi ve-year-old children (43 boys and 55 girls; mean age 5y ears 3m onths for boys and girls). Our results showed am ain effect of social intelligence on peer acceptance, as well as several other effects that were moderated by gender :a significant and positiv ee ffect of verbal ability on social acceptance was found for boys; appearance–reality distinction was found to have a positive effect on social acceptance in the case of girls; and although empath yh ad a significant positive effect on social acceptance for both boys and girls, this effect was more pronounced among boys. Our results suggest that abilities promoting peer acceptance are different for boys and girls.