EXPERIENCES OF OSTRACISM,
REJECTION AND ISOLATION
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EXPERIENCES OF OSTRACISM, REJECTION AND ISOLATION
EXPERIENCES OF OSTRACISM, REJECTION AND ISOLATION
Ostracism, rejection, and isolation are phenomena related to social exclusion, an experience that most humans face daily. In our lab, social exclusion is broadly defined as the experience of being kept apart from others physically (e.g., being left alone) and/or emotionally (e.g., being ignored or told one is not wanted) (Riva & Eck, 2016).
The negative consequences of even single and short-term instances of exclusion have been widely documented across a variety of psychological and physical domains; including effects on emotions, cognition, behaviour, and health. Specifically, exclusion threatens a fundamental human need to belong that reflexively elicits negative emotions, impairs cognitive abilities, increases self-control failure, and aggression.
Mostly relevant to these negative outcomes, however, is how people respond to it. Individuals can cope with exclusion in functional ways, thus ultimately increasing their chances for social inclusion or in dysfunctional ways, promoting a vicious cycle of exclusion, maladaptive responses, further instances of exclusion, and social isolation.
The negative consequences of even single and short-term instances of exclusion have been widely documented across a variety of psychological and physical domains; including effects on emotions, cognition, behaviour, and health. Specifically, exclusion threatens a fundamental human need to belong that reflexively elicits negative emotions, impairs cognitive abilities, increases self-control failure, and aggression.
Mostly relevant to these negative outcomes, however, is how people respond to it. Individuals can cope with exclusion in functional ways, thus ultimately increasing their chances for social inclusion or in dysfunctional ways, promoting a vicious cycle of exclusion, maladaptive responses, further instances of exclusion, and social isolation.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS THAT DRIVE OUR CURRENT WORK
What are the effects of experiences of social exclusion that last over time?
What is the difference between (objective) experiences and (subjective) perceptions of social exclusion?
How do people belonging to marginalized social groups (e.g., prisoners, immigrants, homeless people) respond to social exclusion?
