Question 1

What is ostracism and why does it matter in social psychology?

Accepted Answer

Ostracism is being ignored and excluded in the presence of others. It is a powerful social phenomenon observed across all human development stages and cultures. Research shows ostracism threatens core needs including belonging, self-esteem, control, and meaningful existence, triggering negative mood, anxiety, and hurt feelings even without face-to-face communication.

Question 2

How does the Cyberball game simulate ostracism in a laboratory setting?

Accepted Answer

Cyberball is a computerized game where three animated characters toss and catch a ball. Participants control the middle player and choose recipients for throws. In the inclusion condition, participants receive the ball regularly. In the ostracism condition, after initial throws, participants never receive the ball again, creating a controlled experience of social exclusion.

Question 3

What are the main behavioral consequences of experiencing ostracism?

Accepted Answer

Ostracized individuals show increased conformity to group norms, even incorrect ones, as they attempt to reestablish their place in the group. They also report lower feelings of belonging and perceive fewer social interactions. Some respond by trying to ingratiate themselves to those who excluded them, while others become aggressive or experience depression and alienated feelings.

Question 4

How do researchers measure conformity in ostracism experiments?

Accepted Answer

After the Cyberball game, participants complete a perception task where they identify geometric shapes. Other players intentionally provide incorrect answers on certain trials. Conformity is measured as the percentage of incorrect responses participants make when group members unanimously give wrong answers, indicating social pressure effects.

Question 5

What role does group membership play in responses to ostracism?

Accepted Answer

Group membership strength affects ostracism responses. Participants in in-groups with similar computer preferences showed less differentiation between inclusion and ostracism conditions for belonging measures. However, even in-group members who were ostracized conformed significantly more than included members, suggesting group ties moderate but do not eliminate ostracism effects.

Question 6

What brain regions are active during social exclusion?

Accepted Answer

Functional MRI studies reveal that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and right ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) show increased activity during ostracism. These regions display opposite correlations with distress, suggesting the vmPFC regulates the emotional pain of social exclusion by disrupting ACC activity, demonstrating that social pain activates neural systems similar to physical pain.

Question 7

Does age affect how intensely people experience ostracism?

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that older adults experience less intense pain from ostracism compared to younger individuals. This difference may reflect age-related changes in social priorities, where older adults focus more on close relationships and less on inclusion from strangers or broader social groups, reducing vulnerability to exclusion.

Ostracism: Effects of Being Ignored Over the Internet - Assessment Quiz