Not all exclusions are created equal: effects of physical and social components of exclusion on well-being, prosocial, and antisocial behavioral intentions

Abstract

Over decades, research has shown that people are negatively affected by social exclusion. However, no experimental research has examined the effects of physical exclusion and how it might combine and interact with social exclusion. Across two studies (N = 1,238), we manipulated both components of exclusion separately via an imaginative scenario paradigm and measured their impact on established social exclusion outcomes. Social exclusion, irrespective of being paired with physical in- or exclusion, affected individuals more negatively than mere physical exclusion. Social inclusion was not able to reduce the impact of physical exclusion per se but to protect overall levels of well-being to some extent. Our findings add to a more nuanced understanding of social and physical aspects of exclusionary experiences.

Keywords

• social exclusion
• ostracism
• physical exclusion
• physical contact
• well-being