Loading...
The Desire for Social Reconnection as shown on the Approach-Avoidance Task
Journal Title
Readers/Advisors
Siegel, Paul
Journal Title
Term and Year
Spring 2022
Publication Date
2022
Book Title
Publication Volume
Publication Issue
Publication Begin
Publication End
Number of pages
Collections
Files
Loading...
4320_Mishell_Hinty.pdf
Adobe PDF, 243.31 KB
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
Theories concerning social rejection propose that rejected individuals are motivated by the need to belong following exclusion. The current study examined the motive to reconnect after rejection by using the Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT). The AAT measures the desire to reconnect automatically as shown by assessing approach and avoidance motor responses. Based on previous research, it was anticipated that excluded participants would approach happy faces faster than neutral faces compared to included participants. This study was conducted with 34 undergraduate participants. Each participated in a game of Cyberball and was exposed to either social inclusion or exclusion. Following Cyberball, participants then performed the AAT to measure the automatic inclination to reconnect. The results were found to be non-significant, and the hypothesis stated above was not confirmed. However, the results trended towards significance, which is consistent with previous research. The findings of this study suggest that the motivation to reconnect following rejection may be instinctive. Overall, for a between-subjects design the small sample size lead to inconclusive results. Further research is necessary to test the hypothesis with a larger sample.
Keywords: ostracism, social rejection, social exclusion, social reconnection, cyberball, the approach-avoidance task
Citation
DOI
Description
Accessibility Statement
Purchase College - State University of New York (PC) is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities have an opportunity equal to that of their nondisabled peers to participate in the College's programs, benefits, and services, including those delivered through electronic and information technology. If you encounter an access barrier with a specific item and have a remediation request, please contact lib.ir@purchase.edu.