Seeking Solitude After Being Ostracized: A Replication and Beyond

Individuals may respond to ostracism by either behaving prosocially or antisocially. A recent paper provides evidence for a third response: solitude seeking, suggesting that ostracized individuals may ironically engage in self-perpetuating behaviors which exacerbate social isolation. To examine this counterintuitive response to ostracism, we conceptually replicated the original paper in three studies (N= 1,118). Ostracism experiences were associated with preference for solitude across four samples (Study 1), and being ostracized increased participants' desires for solitude (Studies 2 and 3). Extending beyond the original paper, we demonstrated that only the experience of being ostracized, but not ostracizing others or the feeling of conspicuousness, triggered the desire for solitude. Diverging from the original paper, trait extraversion did not moderate the effect of ostracism on solitude desires. Taken together, the current research provides additional and stronger empirical evidence that solitude seeking is a common response to ostracism.

Automated summary

Being ostracized may lead individuals to prefer solitude, with the desire for solitude being associated with experiences of ostracism. Contrary to the original paper, trait extraversion does not moderate the effect of ostracism on desires for solitude. The research provides additional evidence that seeking solitude is a common response to ostracism.