How popularity goal and popularity status are related to observed and peer-nominated aggressive and prosocial behaviors in elementary school students

•Popularity goal predicts aggression and prosocial behavior already in elementary school.•Popularity and popularity goal predict observed as well as peer nominated behavior.•Strong popularity goal predicts low levels of prosocial behavior.•High popularity predicts the use of aggressive strategies.•High popularity also predicts the use of prosocial strategies in a cooperative setting.