Is Viewing Ostracism on Television Distressing?

ABSTRACT

Being ostracized can be a painful and distressing experience and can lead to subsequent aggression by the victim. However, it is unknown whether watching someone else be ostracized either in real life or on television is similarly distressing. The purpose of the current study was to examine what type of distress (if any) is induced after viewing ostracism on television. The study consisted of 50 participants, half who viewed a movie clip containing ostracism and half who viewed a control clip. Physiological and self-report data revealed that viewing ostracism was distressing to participants. In particular, participants who viewed the ostracism clip reported a lower sense of belonging, self esteem, and mood, and a greater increase in heart rate and skin conductivity than those who viewed the control clip.

Keywords:

• distress
• media
• ostracism
• rejection
• social exclusion
• television

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sarah M. Coyne

Sarah M. Coyne is an Assistant Professor at Brigham Young University. Her research interests include media and aggression.

David A. Nelson

David A. Nelson is an Associate Professor at Brigham Young University who studies relational aggression and parenting.

Simon L. Robinson

Simon L. Robinson is a final year Medical Student at Kings College London, with interests in the psychology of aggression and ostracism.

Nicola C. Gundersen

Nicola C. Gundersen recently graduated with distinction (MSc, Psychology of Child Development) from the University of Central Lancashire, and is currently pursuing a career as an Educational Psychologist.