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Thwarting the Need to Belong: Understanding the Interpersonal and Inner Effects of Social Exclusion
Author(s) -
Baumeister Roy F.,
Brewer Lauren E.,
Tice Dianne M.,
Twenge Jean M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
social and personality psychology compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.699
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 1751-9004
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2007.00020.x
Subject(s) - helpfulness , psychology , empathy , interpersonal communication , personal distress , social psychology , distress , intuition , set (abstract data type) , psychotherapist , cognitive science , computer science , programming language
The need to belong is a powerful motivational basis for interpersonal behavior, and it is thwarted by social exclusion and rejection. Laboratory work has uncovered a destructive set of consequences of being socially excluded, such as increased aggressiveness and reduced helpfulness toward new targets. Rejected persons do, however, exhibit a cautious interest in finding new friends. Theory and intuition associate social exclusion with emotional distress, but laboratory research finds instead that the first response is a reduced sensitivity to pain and an emotional insensitivity that hampers empathy and may contribute to a variety of interpersonal behaviors. Self‐regulation and intelligent thought are also impaired as a direct result of being rejected.