Ostracism and Related Phenomena: Review of Foreign Studies

Abstract

The article gives a review on key directions of ostracism and social shunning in foreign studies. In the context of ostracism the satisfaction of one or few fundamental individual needs may be limited: needs of control, self-respect, affiliation and meaningful existence - causing pain and distress. Ostracism can cause extremely radical behavioral reactions of an individual (mass murder of innocent people, conversion to a religious cult or extremism, etc.). Although anger and aggression are the most predicted reaction to ostracism and related phenomena in recent years more and more studies have shown that prosocial reactions are possible as a response, i.e. increased emotional intelligence, increased social sensitivity, demonstration of social mimicry in order to enhance affiliation and establishment of rapport.