The ordinal effects of ostracism: a meta-analysis of 120 Cyberball studies

PLoS One. 2015 May 29;10(5):e0127002. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127002. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

We examined 120 Cyberball studies (N = 11,869) to determine the effect size of ostracism and conditions under which the effect may be reversed, eliminated, or small. Our analyses showed that (1) the average ostracism effect is large (d > |1.4|) and (2) generalizes across structural aspects (number of players, ostracism duration, number of tosses, type of needs scale), sampling aspects (gender, age, country), and types of dependent measure (interpersonal, intrapersonal, fundamental needs). Further, we test Williams's (2009) proposition that the immediate impact of ostracism is resistant to moderation, but that moderation is more likely to be observed in delayed measures. Our findings suggest that (3) both first and last measures are susceptible to moderation and (4) time passed since being ostracized does not predict effect sizes of the last measure. Thus, support for this proposition is tenuous and we suggest modifications to the temporal need-threat model of ostracism.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Affect
  • Child
  • Female
  • Games, Experimental*
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Self Concept
  • Social Isolation*
  • Time Factors

Grants and funding

The preparation of this article was supported by grant number 016-125-385 from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (http://nwo.nl) awarded to Jelte M. Wicherts and by the National Science Foundation (http://nsf.gov) under Grant #BCS-1339160 awarded to Kipling D. Williams.