Interpersonal Rejection

Interpersonal rejection ranks among the most potent and distressing events that people experience. Romantic rejection, ostracism, stigmatization, job termination, and other kinds of rejections have the power to compromise the quality of people's lives. As a result, people are highly motivated to avoid social rejection, and, indeed, much of human behavior appears to be designed to avoid such experiences. Yet, despite the widespread effects of real, anticipated, and even imagined rejections, psychologists have devoted only passing attention to the topic, and the research on rejection has been scattered throughout a number of psychological subspecialties (e.g., social, clinical, developmental, personality). In the past few years, however, we have seen a surge of interest in the effects of interpersonal rejection on behavior and emotion. The goal of this book is to pull together contributions of several writers whose work is on the cutting edge of rejection research, providing a readable overview of recent advances in the area. In doing so, it not only provides a look at the current state of the area but also helps to establish the topic of rejection as an identifiable area for future research. Topics covered in the book include: ostracism, unrequited love, betrayal, stigmatization, rejection sensitivity, rejection and self-esteem, peer rejection in childhood, emotional responses to rejection, and personality moderators of reactions to rejection. Publisher's Description: Interpersonal Rejection Ranks Among The Most Potent And Distressing Events That People Experience. Romantic Rejection, Ostracism, Stigmatization, Job Termination, And Other Kinds Of Rejections Have The Power To Compromise The Quality Of People's Lives. As A Result, People Are Highly Motivated To Avoid Social Rejection, And, Indeed, Much Of Human Behavior Appears To Be Desinged To Avoid Such Experiences. Yet, Despite The Widespread Effects Of Real, Anticipated, And Even Imagined Rejections, Psychologists Have Devoted Only Passing Attention To The Topic, And The Research On Rejection Has Been Scattered Throughout A Number Of Psychological Subspecialties (e.g., Social, Clinical, Developmental, Personality). In The Past Few Years, However, We Have Seen A Surge Of Interest In The Effects Of Interpersonal Rejection On Behavior And Emotion. The Goal Of This Book Is To Pull Together Contributions Of Several Writers Whose Work Is On The Cutting Edge Of Rejection Research, Providing A Readable Overview Of Recent Advances In The Area. In Doing So, It Not Only Provides A Look At The Current State Of The Area But Helps To Establish The Topic Of Rejection As An Identifiable Area For Future Research. Topics Covered In The Book Include: Ostracism, Unrequited Love, Betrayal, Stigmatization, Rejection Sensitivity, Rejection And Self-esteem, Peer Rejection In Childhood, Emotional Responses To Rejection, And Personality Moderators Of Reactions To Rejection. Part 1. Varieties Of Interpersonal Rejection. -- Toward A Conceptualization Of Interpersonal Rejection / Mark R. Leary -- Ostracism : On Being Ignored, Excluded, And Rejected / Kipling D. Williams And Lisa Zadro -- Two Sides Of Romantic Rejection / Roy F. Baumeister And Dawn Dhavale -- Betrayal, Rejection, Revenge, And Forgiveness : An Interpersonal Script Approach / Julie Fitness -- Peer Rejection In Everyday Life / Steven R. Asher, Amanda J. Rose, And Sonda W. Gabriel -- Part 2. Dealing With Rejection : Immediate And Long-term Reactions. -- Emotional Responses To Interpersonal Rejection / Mark R. Leary, Erika J. Koch, And Nancy R. Hechenbleikner -- Coping With Rejection : Ego-defensive Strategies, Self-esteem, And Interpersonal Relationships / Kristin Sommer -- Implications Of Mental Models Of Self And Others For The Targets Of Stigmatization / Carol T. Miller And Cheryl R. Kaiser -- Consequences Of Childhood Peer Rejection / Patricia Mcdougall [and Others] -- Part 3. Individual Differences. -- Role Of Rejection Sensitivity In People's Relationships With Significant Others And Valued Social Groups / Sheri R. Levy, Ozlem Ayduk, And Geraldine Downey -- Individual Differences In Reactions To Rejection / Kristine M. Kelly. [edited By] Mark R. Leary. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Interpersonal rejection ranks among the most potent and distressing events that people experience. Romantic rejection, ostracism, stigmatization, job termination, and other kinds of rejections have the power to compromise the quality of people's lives. As a result, people are highly motivated to avoid social rejection, and, indeed, much of human behavior appears to be designed to avoid such experiences. Yet, despite the widespread effects of real, anticipated, and even imagined rejections, psychologists have devoted only passing attention to the topic, and the research on rejection has been scattered throughout a number of psychological subspecialties (e.g., social, clinical, developmental, personality). In the past few years, however, we have seen a surge of interest in the effects of interpersonal rejection on behavior and emotion. The goal of this book is to pull together the contributions of several scholars whose work is on the cutting edge of rejection research, providing a scholarly yet readable overview of recent advances in the area. In doing so, it not only provides a look at the current state of the area but also helps to establish the topic of rejection as an identifiable area for future research. Topics covered in the book include: ostracism, unrequited love, betrayal, stigmatization, rejection sensitivity, rejection and self-esteem, peer rejection in childhood, emotional responses to rejection, and personality moderators of reactions to rejection. Despite the widespread effects of real, anticipated, and even imagined rejections, psychologists have devoted only passing attention to the topic. This text pulls together contributions of several writers whose research on rejection should provide an overview of recent advances in the area. Human beings are an exceptionally social species with a strong need to belong and an even stronger aversion to being rejected.