Alone and Without Purpose: Life Loses Meaning Following Social Exclusion.
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.
Stillman
Tyler F
TF
Baumeister
Roy F
RF
Lambert
Nathaniel M
NM
Crescioni
A Will
AW
Dewall
C Nathan
CN
Fincham
Frank D
FD