Alone and without purpose: Life loses meaning following social exclusion

Tyler F. Stillman; Roy F. Baumeister; Nathaniel M. Lambert; A. Will Crescioni; C. Nathan DeWall; Frank D. Fincham

doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2009.03.007

Alone and without purpose: Life loses meaning following social exclusion

Tyler F. Stillman, Roy F. Baumeister, Nathaniel M. Lambert, A. Will Crescioni, C. Nathan DeWall, Frank D. Fincham

Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

310 Scopus citations

Abstract

Four studies (N = 643) supported the hypothesis that social exclusion would reduce the global perception of life as meaningful. Social exclusion was manipulated experimentally by having a confederate refuse to meet participants after seeing their videotaped introduction (Study 1) and by ostracizing participants in a computerized ball-tossing game (Study 2). Compared to control condition and acceptance conditions, social exclusion led to perceiving life as less meaningful. Exclusion was also operationalized as self-reported loneliness, which was a better predictor of low meaning than other potent variables (Study 3). Study 4 found support for Baumeister's model of meaning (1991), by demonstrating that the effect of exclusion on meaning was mediated by purpose, value, and positive self-worth.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	686-694
Number of pages	9
Journal	Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
Volume	45
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2009.03.007
State	Published - Jul 2009

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The present research was supported by Grant MH65559 from the National Institutes of Health.

Keywords

Meaning
Ostracism
Social rejection

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Social Psychology
Sociology and Political Science

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.jesp.2009.03.007

Cite this

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abstract = "Four studies (N = 643) supported the hypothesis that social exclusion would reduce the global perception of life as meaningful. Social exclusion was manipulated experimentally by having a confederate refuse to meet participants after seeing their videotaped introduction (Study 1) and by ostracizing participants in a computerized ball-tossing game (Study 2). Compared to control condition and acceptance conditions, social exclusion led to perceiving life as less meaningful. Exclusion was also operationalized as self-reported loneliness, which was a better predictor of low meaning than other potent variables (Study 3). Study 4 found support for Baumeister's model of meaning (1991), by demonstrating that the effect of exclusion on meaning was mediated by purpose, value, and positive self-worth.",

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AU - Lambert, Nathaniel M.

AU - Crescioni, A. Will

AU - DeWall, C. Nathan

AU - Fincham, Frank D.

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Alone and without purpose: Life loses meaning following social exclusion

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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