Toward an Integrative Science of Ostracism and Social Exclusion

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past several years, research on ostracism, rejection, and social exclusion has witnessed exponential growth. This research indicates that such behavior is pervasive across contexts and represents a social stressor with implications for psychological, behavioral, neurological, and physiological functioning. Several models have been developed to help understand how and why such behaviors impact intrapersonal, interpersonal, intergroup, and societal interactions. Theoretical models such as the Temporal Need-Threat Model (Williams, 2009), the Multimotive Model of Rejection (Smart Richman & Leary, 2009), and social pain frameworks (Eisenberger & Lieberman, 2004), among others, have provided critical insights into the short-term and, to a lesser extent, long-term consequences of exclusion. Taken together, this work has demonstrated that not everyone interprets or responds to exclusionary behavior in the same way. For example, some studies have described support for prosocial and approach-oriented responses to exclusion, characterized by attempts to reestablish one’s sense of belonging, whereas others report more antisocial, withdrawal, or avoidant response patterns.

Existing works have expanded their focus on the main effects, with less attention towards the examination of the conditional process mechanisms that shape when, how, and for whom exclusion is likely to be more or less impactful, and the short- and long-term responses and consequences. Additionally, evidence suggests that appraisal-based mechanisms may help researchers better understand some inconsistencies in research findings. There has been limited systematic research examining the impact of exclusionary behavior outside the laboratory setting (e.g., focusing on intergroup and systemic forms of exclusion). Some reports suggest that exclusion based on group membership (e.g., race, gender, cultural identity) may elicit distinct short- and long-term responses and consequences. Currently, there is also limited integration across levels of analysis. The most widely used measures include self-reports, with limited research examining neuroendocrine, biological, and physiological response mechanisms. It is still relatively rare for research to examine exclusion utilizing a multilevel systems approach. However, such an integrative approach would help develop a more comprehensive understanding of this important social behavior. One of the primary goals of this Special Issue is to bring together interdisciplinary contributions to help address existing gaps in the literature.

Submissions to the Special Issue might include research related to antecedents (interpersonal, intergroup, and institutional), various moderators and mediators across contexts (appraisal, personality, cultural context), multilevel outcomes (neural, biological, physiological, psychological, behavioral, health-related), cross-contextual and cross-disciplinary perspectives (e.g., intersectional), antecedent and perpetrator characteristics, novel methodological approaches, longitudinal (high fidelity) research, and feedback processes and adaptation. This Special Issue is intended to advance our current understanding of ostracism, rejection, and exclusion across domains, expand theoretical development, and guide intervention programs and strategies. Research in the following areas is especially encouraged:

• Cognitive appraisals and how such appraisals mediate the transition from acute exclusion to chronic maladjustment;
• Allostatic load or accelerated biological aging;
• Habituation versus sensitization processes;
• Longitudinal trajectories;
• Intergroup processes (including distinct psychological and biological responses);
• Digital forms of exclusion;
• Multimethod designs combining self-reports, endocrine measures, autonomic indices, and behavioral outcomes within the same study;
• Recovery trajectories following exclusion;
• Sex/gender differences in biological reactivity;
• Sleep disruption following exclusion experiences;
• Linguistic ostracism;
• Buffering and exacerbating processes;
• Cross-cultural perspectives;
• Methodological limitations;
• Algorithmic or technology-driven exclusion, including delayed responses, unread messages, or “ghosting” both within and outside of organizational contexts;
• Cognitive impairments;
• Risk-taking behaviors;
• Cognitive and Emotional dysregulation;
• Teams and networks;
• Bystander responses to witnessing ostracism;
• Social contagion effects;
• Collectivistic versus individualistic cultural differences;
• Behavioral outcomes;
• Temporal dynamics and recovery processes;
• Discrimination and marginalization.

References

Williams, K. D. (2009). Ostracism: A Temporal Need Threat Model. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 41, 275-314. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(08)00406-1.

Smart Richman, L., & Leary, M. R. (2009). Reactions to discrimination, stigmatization, ostracism, and other forms of interpersonal rejection: A multimotive model. Psychological Review, 116(2), 365–383. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0015250.

Eisenberger, N.I. & Lieberman, M.D. (2004). Why rejection hurts: a common neural alarm system for physical and social pain. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 8(7), 294–300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2004.05.010.

Prof. Dr. Robert T. Hitlan
Prof. Dr. Armando X. Estrada
Guest Editors

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• ostracism
• social exclusion
• social rejection
• social pain
• belongingness
• rejection sensitivity
• threat appraisal
• challenge appraisal
• social neuroscience
• stress physiology
• workplace ostracism
• cyberostracism
• intergroup relations
• health outcomes
• intervention research