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Published on: November 15, 2014
Group marginalization: extending research on interpersonal rejection to small groups.
Kevin R Betts1, Verlin B Hinsz
11U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
Summary
Groups rejected together may react with greater hostility than individuals. This research integrates models to explain shared rejection experiences and their outcomes, offering insights into group marginalization.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Group Dynamics
- Intergroup Relations
Background:
- Extensive research exists on individual reactions to interpersonal rejection.
- Limited research explores how small groups experience and react to rejection.
- Understanding group rejection is crucial for diverse social contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the unique experiences and outcomes of group rejection.
- To propose a unifying framework for understanding hostile group reactions to marginalization.
- To integrate existing theoretical models of group rejection.
Main Methods:
- Literature integration of existing theories on individual and group reactions to rejection.
- Examination of four key models: need-threat, rejection-identification, multimotive, and dual attitudes.
- Development of a novel framework for group rejection responses.
Main Results:
- Groups may exhibit more hostility when rejected compared to individuals.
- Existing models offer partial explanations for group rejection responses.
- A synthesized framework can illuminate hostile reactions to group marginalization.
Conclusions:
- Group rejection elicits distinct psychological and behavioral outcomes.
- The proposed framework aids in understanding hostility in marginalized groups.
- Findings have implications for understanding phenomena in gangs, cliques, and minority groups.
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