Feedback to video stimuli: A novel paradigm for manipulating existential isolation

Existential isolation refers to the sense of being alone in one's subjective experiences. While most research has focused on chronic (trait) levels, these often arise from repeated state experiences. However, few methods exist for experimentally inducing state existential isolation, limiting insight into its psychological effects. Across four preregistered experiments (N = 737), we tested a novel paradigm in both online and in-person laboratory settings. Participants received feedback indicating their emotional responses to video clips (e.g., feelings of anger) were either very different from, or similar to (Study 3 & 4), the average response. Those told their responses were “different” reported greater state existential isolation than those given no feedback, while “similar” feedback reduced such feelings. We highlight the value of this manipulation for future research and its potential to inform interventions aimed at reducing existential isolation.