Here's how social ostracism can affect your behaviour
| Feb 27, 2019, 16:20 IST
Nobody likes to be left out or made to feel alone. It can lead to a feeling of despair and loneliness which isn't really all that great for health. A study found that people who are socially ostracised often show feelings of anger, sadness and revenge and might even be likely to join gangs. As per a researcher, humans are motivated by maintaining four basic needs - belonging, self-esteem, control over one’s environment, having a meaningful existence.
“In order to restore those needs, people can engage in a variety of behaviours. Some of them are pretty positive,” said the researchers. “But there are also times when aggression may be a more attractive alternative, especially if people are trying to restore their needs for meaningful existence or control over the environment.” The team then also studied the reactions of people who wouldn't normally engage with extremist groups.
“But when you are ostracised and starved of social connection, you might be temporarily more open to groups that would be otherwise unappealing,” the researchers added. In another experiment, it was even found that people felt threatened when their partners paid more attention to their phones. “What we found is that people reported greater threats to their basic needs when they had recalled an experience where their conversation partner had used a cellphone,” said a researcher. Stay tuned for more updates.
“In order to restore those needs, people can engage in a variety of behaviours. Some of them are pretty positive,” said the researchers. “But there are also times when aggression may be a more attractive alternative, especially if people are trying to restore their needs for meaningful existence or control over the environment.” The team then also studied the reactions of people who wouldn't normally engage with extremist groups.
“But when you are ostracised and starved of social connection, you might be temporarily more open to groups that would be otherwise unappealing,” the researchers added. In another experiment, it was even found that people felt threatened when their partners paid more attention to their phones. “What we found is that people reported greater threats to their basic needs when they had recalled an experience where their conversation partner had used a cellphone,” said a researcher. Stay tuned for more updates.