INFORMATION VERSUS MEANING - TOWARD A FURTHER UNDERSTANDING OF EARLY ADOLESCENT REJECTION

The cultural analysis that informs Marten's ''Visibility and Vulnerabi lity'' article can neither be simply expanded by adding more variables nor simply assimilated to a framework that neglects meaning. The focu s of the cultural analysis advocated here is the delineation of meanin gs used by cultural participants to shape and evaluate their own and t heir peers' actions. Such an analysis emphasizes emic categories as op enings to understanding rejection phenomena. Knowing about more variab les will not necessarily further understanding of the meaning of rejec tion to early adolescents.