The Ordinal Effects of Ostracism: A Meta-Analysis of 120 Cyberball Studies

Abstract

We examined 120 Cyberball studies (N = 11,869) to determine the effect size of ostracism and conditions under which the effect may be reversed, eliminated, or small. Our analyses showed that (1) the average ostracism effect is large (d > |1.4|) and (2) generalizes across structural aspects (number of players, ostracism duration, number of tosses, type of needs scale), sampling aspects (gender, age, country), and types of dependent measure (interpersonal, intrapersonal, fundamental needs). Further, we test Williams’s (2009) proposition that the immediate impact of ostracism is resistant to moderation, but that moderation is more likely to be observed in delayed measures. Our findings suggest that (3) both first and last measures are susceptible to moderation and (4) time passed since being ostracized does not predict effect sizes of the last measure. Thus, support for this proposition is tenuous and we suggest modifications to the temporal need-threat model of ostracism.

Patients Are Socially Excluded When Their Pain Has No Medical Explanation

“…24 Experimental research has shown that social exclusion is related to lower psychological wellbeing, characterized by lower self-esteem, more depressive symptoms, and higher negative affect among those excluded. 28,38 Although research about the relationship between social exclusion and psychological wellbeing is lacking in a population of individuals with pain, we might expect that social exclusion, besides other stress factors (e.g., prolonged discomfort, the loss of functional ability and sleep disturbance 44 ), will have an adverse impact on their wellbeing. Social exclusion might be considered a potential cause of the frequently observed lower psychological wellbeing (more mood and anxiety disorders 2,52 ) of individuals with medically unexplained pain.…”

The social pain of Cyberball: Decreased pupillary reactivity to exclusion cues

“…Indeed, research on ostracism-i.e., being ignored and excluded-has shown that being socially excluded subsequently affects one's sense of belonging and also causes a decrease in self-esteem, control, and meaning in life (Williams & Sommer, 1997). This socially painful experience results in the display of various behaviors aimed at restoring social standing, such as pro-social, or even aggressive behavior (for reviews, see Hartgerink, van Beest, Wicherts, & Williams, 2015;Williams, 2009;Williams & Nida, 2011). Taken together, these studies demonstrate the varied impact of ostracism experiences.…”

When social inclusion is not enough: Implicit expectations of extreme inclusion in borderline personality disorder.

“…Extensive research in healthy individuals demonstrated that being ostracized in Cyberball causes them to report higher levels of painful feelings and negative emotions immediately after the game (Hartgerink et al, 2014). This strong, automatic, and immediate painful response to ostracism can serve to orient the individual's attention to the ostracism episode for further appraisal (reflexive stage: "detect first, ask questions later"; Williams, 2009).…”