The Social Outcast: Ostracism, Social Exclusion, Rejection and Bullying
10th March 2004
7th Sydney Symposium of Social Psychology: 16-18 March
UNSW and Macquarie University are the hosts of an international symposium to examine the effects of rejection, social exclusion, ostracism and bullying.
The symposium brings together a group of experts from around the world who will present and explore the latest research on the psychology of initiating and responding to social exclusion. A book will be produced based on presentations and discussions during the symposium, as has happened for the past six symposia.
“Human beings are an intrinsically gregarious species, and much of our evolutionary success is due to our highly developed ability to co-operate and interact with each other,” says Joe Forgas, Scientia professor at UNSW and co-organiser of the symposium for the past six years. ”It is not surprising, then, that being excluded is one of the most painful experiences. Acts of exclusion have been linked to depression, alienation, suicide, and mass killings.”
“Even a seemingly trivial act of social exclusion for a few minutes activates the pain regions of the brain,” says Kip Williams, Professor at Macquarie University and co-organiser of this year’s symposium.
Program Highlights
UNSW and Macquarie University are the hosts of an international symposium to examine the effects of rejection, social exclusion, ostracism and bullying.
The symposium brings together a group of experts from around the world who will present and explore the latest research on the psychology of initiating and responding to social exclusion. A book will be produced based on presentations and discussions during the symposium, as has happened for the past six symposia.
“Human beings are an intrinsically gregarious species, and much of our evolutionary success is due to our highly developed ability to co-operate and interact with each other,” says Joe Forgas, Scientia professor at UNSW and co-organiser of the symposium for the past six years. ”It is not surprising, then, that being excluded is one of the most painful experiences. Acts of exclusion have been linked to depression, alienation, suicide, and mass killings.”
“Even a seemingly trivial act of social exclusion for a few minutes activates the pain regions of the brain,” says Kip Williams, Professor at Macquarie University and co-organiser of this year’s symposium.
Program Highlights
- Kip Williams (Macquarie University) and Lisa Zadro (UNSW) will discuss ostracism, proposing an early detection system that warns individuals of the threat of being ignored.
- Roy Baumeister (Florida State University) will examine how people regulate their own behaviour in exchange for gaining the rewards that flow from belonging to a group.
- John Cacioppo (University of Chicago) will discuss how lonely people are more likely to be socially anxious and adopt a prevention focus rather than a promotion focus in their social interactions.
- Naomi Eisenberger and Matthew Lieberman (UCLA) will talk about social and physical pain being experienced in similar brain regions, suggesting an evolutionary link.
- Jaana Juvonen and Elisheva Gross (UCLA) will talk about how rejected and bullied youth are at a high risk of developing adjustment problems.
- Lowell Gaertner and Jonathan Iuzzini (University of Tennessee) will examine the possibility that social rejection affects mass violence.
What: 7th Sydney Symposium of Social Psychology – ‘The Social Outcast’
When: 16-18th March
Where: The Coogee Bay Hotel, Sydney
For the full program check the website
Media contacts: Alex Clark, UNSW Tel: 9385 3263/0405 237 553, or Kathy Vozella, Macquarie University Tel: 02 9850 7456/0408 168 918
When: 16-18th March
Where: The Coogee Bay Hotel, Sydney
For the full program check the website
Media contacts: Alex Clark, UNSW Tel: 9385 3263/0405 237 553, or Kathy Vozella, Macquarie University Tel: 02 9850 7456/0408 168 918
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