What happens to those from whom their neighbors turn away? Psychologists from the University of Florida (USA) told some of the participants in their study that they would have to end their activities alone, since other members of the group refused to work with them *.
What happens to those from whom their neighbors turn away? Psychologists from the University of Florida (USA) told some of the participants in their study that they would have to end their activities alone, since other members of the group refused to work with them *. The consequences were unfortunate: people who felt excluded from the group refused further participation in research, were less likely to help others after unpleasant incidents, donated less money to charity. Even targeted assistance did not help them “thaw out” – they continued to feel their isolation. It seems that it is easier to push a person away, to force him to withdraw into himself, than to reintegrate him into a group.
* Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2007, vol. 92.