The Social and Emotional Impact of Interpersonal Rejection

Although interpersonal rejection is a pervasive and potent experience, behavioral scientists have been remiss in studying its causes and consequences until quite recently. This presentation will describe a 10-year program of research on interpersonal rejection, exploring the psychological basis of perceived rejection, the effects of rejection on various emotional reactions (such as anger, sadness, and hurt feelings) and behaviors (such as aggression), the impact of rejection on self-esteem, and individual differences in reactions to rejection.