Prototypes of the Ostracized

Abstract

How do people imagine targets of ostracism? We conducted a multi-method investigation using both open-ended questions and quantitative experiments. Eleven preregistered studies (five main and six supplementary studies with participants from the United States, the United Kingdom and France) showed that people imagine ostracized individuals as socially, psychologically and physically different from the average person. This was shown to have significant consequences—the same act directed at prototypical (vs. counterprototypical and control) targets is more likely to be classified as ostracism, even when people try to ignore target features and focus on the behaviour alone. Prototypical targets are seen as less deserving of being excluded, more hurt and are sympathized with more. Further, people judge alleged ostracizers more negatively and express less interest in affiliating with them when the target fits the prototype. We discuss theoretical implications for the understanding of prototypes and ostracism and practical implications for the detection and curbing of ostracism in everyday life.