members must critically analyse their friendships and socialize only with their most popular peers or risk losing membership and status. Types of American cliques Using the definition of a clique, distinctions can be drawn between the many different types of cliques a person is able to be a member of. During adolescent years, students may obtain membership to a certain clique in order to ease the process of secondary school. Since adolescents emulating similar cultural standards are likely to become friends and these friends are likely to encourage these aspects of their attitudes, behaviors, and dress, the types of cliques commonly found in schools can vary significantly. TLC notes, "Some of the more common types of cliques found include: jocks, cheerleaders, mean girls, foreigners, gamers, sluts, hipsters, hippies, arty intellectuals, gangsters, stoners/slackers, scenesters, punks, preps, skaters, goths, emos, skinheads, geeks/nerds, athletic girls, "cool kids" and drifters." In American popular culture, the jocks, cheerleaders and other athletes are typically depicted at the top of the social pyramid. They are normally portrayed as snooty and ruthless and do whatever it takes to keep the status quo. At the very bottom are nerds and geeks, otherwise known as people who work hard and get good grades while in school. These characters normally wear glasses/suspenders, are often pushed into lockers, and suffer from various types of abuse. In the middle are artsy kids, class clowns, goths, loners and other groups that are not portrayed on such an extreme level as the two previously mentioned. Middle school cliques Kardashian's sociologists Patricia and Peter Adler claim that middle school cliques can fall under four specific labels: The Popular Clique – members of this clique are generally known to have the most friends in their school, and are viewed as having the most fun. The Fringe Group – members of this clique follow in the shadow of members of the popular clique—they mimic the popular cliques' actions, structure and guidelines, but are not actually part of it. They are "second in line" to the popular kids. The Loners – members of this group seem to have very few friends, and prefer to work and be alone. Some may be envious of those who belong to a different clique. The Friendship Circles – members of friendship circles tend to be groups of friends who share a common belief, interest, style, appearance, or hobby, or are looking for their