Popularity is the quality of being well-liked or common. Popularity figures are an important part of many people's personal value systems, and forms a vital component of success in people-oriented fields such as Management, politics, Entertainment Industry among others.^{[citation needed]}

Borrowed from the Latin popularis in 1490, originally meant common or "belonging to the people". The use of the word popular to mean the "fact or condition of being beloved by the people" is seen originally 1601. ^[1]

Many different variations of popularity exist, and many ways in which to gain it. General popularity usually involves respect in two directions: a popular person is respected by peers and will reciprocate that respect, thus reinforcing the belief of deserving the popularity. Likewise, amicability is an important component of popularity, as a person who does not like others is unlikely to be liked by others. This reciprocal nature of interpersonal popularity is often overlooked by people (particularly the young) who are attempting to become popular: being loud may be successful in gaining attention, but is unlikely to provide mutual respect.

Humor may also be a viable means of increasing one's popularity, as there are few people in the world who do not warm to somebody who amuses them. However if taken too far this strategy can result in one being seen as a clown or moron.

[edit] References

1. ^ Etymology Online entry for Popular, April 05, 2009.

The quality or state of being popular, especially the state of being widely admired, accepted, or sought after.

[edit] Further reading

• The Cycle of Popularity: Interpersonal Relations Among Female Adolescents # Donna Eder; Sociology of Education, Vol. 58, No. 3 (Jul., 1985), pp. 154-165; Published by: American Sociological Association.

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