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 |
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Pages (from-to) | 686-694 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Experimental Social Psychology |
Volume | 45 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2009 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The present research was supported by Grant MH65559 from the National Institutes of Health.
Funding
The present research was supported by Grant MH65559 from the National Institutes of Health.
Funders | Funder number |
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National Institutes of Health (NIH) | |
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism | RL1AA017541 |
Keywords
- Meaning
- Ostracism
- Social rejection
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Sociology and Political Science