The Effects of Political Exclusion: Threatened Needs and Decreased Affiliation With Increased Anger and Antisocial Inclinations

Abstract

Social exclusion threatens psychological needs satisfaction, increases anger, and can contribute to group polarization. In two studies, we explored how political exclusion (vs. inclusion) influenced American voters' polarization. In Study 1 (N = 135, 60.7% Female, 61.5% White; Age M = 19.63), young adults were included or excluded in Cyberball from their political outgroup. In Study 2 (N = 316, 72.5% Female, 63.0% White; Age M = 19.03), Biden and Trump supporters were excluded or included in Cyberball from their political ingroup or outgroup during the 2020 election. Participants excluded (vs. included) from the political outgroup reported lower needs satisfaction (Study 1: ${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.29, Study 2: ${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.35), more anger (Study 2: ${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.04), less interest in outgroup affiliation (Study 1: ${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.03) and increased interest in outgroup antisociality (Study 2: ${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.01). Ingroup exclusion had mixed effects, and liberals (Biden supporters) and conservatives (Trump supporters) reported differences in exclusion responses. Political exclusion may initiate a cycle of polarization and exclusion by threatening psychological needs and increasing anger.