When you say nothing at all: Empirical investigations into the reasons for, and consequences of, interpersonal ostracism

Abstract

This research falls into two streams. The first investigated perspective-related differences in ostracism (i.e., the act of being excluded or ignored) by comparing the experience of targets (i.e., those who are ostracised), sources (i.e., those who ostracise), and observers (i.e., those who witness ostracism). Studies 1 (N = 202) and 2 (N = 295) utilised questionnaire and autobiographical recall paradigms to investigate the impact of ostracism on primary needs, affect, and behaviour. Studies 1 and 2 also examined perspective-related differences in (perceived) motives for ostracism. The second stream focused on ostracism sources to discern mixed findings regarding source responses, and to further investigate ostracism motive. Study 3 reviewed current source literature, and meta-analyses compared source experiences to targets and included individuals finding that sources reported greater control and guilt. Factors such as ostracising alone or with others, or ostracism being self-motivated or induced, moderated effects. Studies 4, 5, and 6 extended this inquiry by examining how source experiences differ as a function of ostracism motive. Study 4 (N = 136) supported the efficacy of a paradigm created to induce the experience of ostracising for punitive versus defensive motives. Employing this paradigm, Study 5 (N = 372) investigated the impact of motive on sources’ experienced emotion, and Study 6 (N = 743) considered behavioural intentions. This project was the first to examine perspective-related differences in being a target, source, and observer of ostracism, and to consider the impact of ostracising for specific motives on sources. Findings highlight how consequences differ as a function of motives for ostracism, add to growing literature on ostracism sources, and support predictions regarding the mediating role of affect in prompting behaviour