Regulating belongingness needs: Regulatory focus and responses to social exclusion

Katherine E Adams, Purdue University

Abstract

The current project examined the effect of social exclusion on regulatory focus motivations (promotion and prevention focus). Building on previous work, I posited that whether exclusion activates a more promotion or prevention focus depends on the person’s initial standing with the group (i.e., initial member vs. non-member). Additionally, I hypothesized that regulatory focus motivations should influence excluded individuals’ subsequent social reconnection efforts. In two studies, participants were socially excluded after either being included or not as an initial member of the excluding group; in a first study, participants also had the opportunity to reconnect with a new social partner. Results were generally supportive of hypotheses: social exclusion activated a more promotion (vs. prevention) focus when participants were initial non-members (vs. members) of the excluding group. In Study 1, participants’ regulatory focus also influenced the extent to which they wanted to work with a new social partner. Implications for social exclusion and regulatory focus work are discussed.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

Tyler, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Social psychology

COinS