The effects of ostracism on perceptions and interpretations of catcalls

ABSTRACT

Ostracism puts individuals in a vulnerable position as they are desperate to regain attention. As a result, ostracized individuals often value attention and acknowledgment. We examined whether ostracism would alter the perception and interpretation of catcalls – lewd statements or whistling by strangers – and whether catcalls would assist in restoring the needs threatened by ostracism. Participants were either included or ostracized, reported need satisfaction, watched a video of a woman being the target of catcalls, and then, evaluated the catcalls and reported need satisfaction again. Men perceived catcalls as more complementary. Ostracism altered women’s perceptions of catcalls, but not men’s. Ostracized women, compared to included women, perceived the catcalls to be less threatening. Additionally, watching the video-assisted ostracized women need fortification.

KEYWORDS:

• Ostracism
• social exclusion
• sexual harassment
• stranger harassment
• catcalls

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.