Ostracism

Abstract

In this review, I examine the social psychological research on ostracism, social exclusion, and rejection. Being ignored, excluded, and/or rejected signals a threat for which reflexive detection in the form of pain and distress is adaptive for survival. Brief ostracism episodes result in sadness and anger and threaten fundamental needs. Individuals then act to fortify or replenish their thwarted need or needs. Behavioral consequences appear to be split into two general categories: attempts to fortify relational needs (belonging, self-esteem, shared understanding, and trust), which lead generally to prosocial thoughts and behaviors, or attempts to fortify efficacy/existence needs of control and recognition that may be dealt with most efficiently through antisocial thoughts and behaviors. Available research on chronic exposure to ostracism appears to deplete coping resources, resulting in depression and helplessness.

Living Together Apart: Perceived Concealment as a Signal of Exclusion in Marital Relationships

“…When social exclusion is detected, even the most subtle cue of exclusion, it activates the neural circuitry of physical pain (e.g., Eisenberger, Lieberman, & Williams, 2003) and elicits emotional distress (e.g., Williams, Cheung, & Choi, 2000). Immediate social exclusion is extremely aversive (Williams, 2007) and longer lasting exclusion may have serious ill effects, including feelings of helplessness, alienation, and despair, and often leads to antisocial behavior such as direct and indirect aggression toward and derogation of the person doing the exclusion (e.g., Twenge, Baumeister, Tice, & Stucke, 2001). Recently, Kerr and Levine (2008) suggested that even signs of anticipated exclusion and avoidance (e.g., not approaching, moving or turning away, not saying hello) are reliably associated with feelings of rejection and exclusion.…”

Percepção de idosos atendidos em uma unidade de estratégia saúde da família: abordagem etnográfica

“…De acordo com Williams (2007), o termo pode ser compreendido como um processo de respostas às frustações das necessidades relativas à autoestima e ao sentimento de pertencimento na sociedade.…”

“…A exclusão social frustra essa necessidade e pode ocasionar efeitos psicológicos que afetam a saúde do indivíduo (Williams, Zadro, 2005;Williams, 2007;Bastian, Haslam, 2010;Hawkley, Williams, Cacioppo, 2011).…”

“…O ostracismo pode ser observado em diversas espécies da natureza, em que os seres considerados frágeis são eliminados para a manutenção da coesão e da força grupal (Williams, 2007).…”

“…Assim, a exposição contínua ao ostracismo social pode implicar no esgotamento dos recursos necessários para respostas favoráveis e acarretar em sentimentos de solidão, dor e angústia. Os fatores cognitivos e de personalidade possuem pouca influência na determinação do ostracismo e do sofrimento ocasionado, portanto, é incorreto olhar para o indivíduo ostracisado e concluir que a situação vivenciada é consequente apenas de suas características pessoais (Williams, Zadro, 2005;Williams, 2007).…”