Leaving the Loners Alone: Dispositional Preference for Solitude Evokes Ostracism

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Theories suggest a preference for solitude may lead to interpersonal costs.
• Empirical evidence for these proposed interpersonal costs is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interpersonal consequences of a preference for solitude.
• To examine the risk of ostracism for individuals who prefer solitude.

Main Methods:

• Five studies were conducted with a total of 1,823 participants.
• Methods included self-reported experiences, perceptions of others, and willingness to ostracize.
• Study 5 explored assumptions about the aversiveness of interacting with solitude-seekers.

Main Results:

• Individuals with a higher preference for solitude reported experiencing more ostracism.
• Participants were more willing to ostracize individuals preferring solitude.
• Assumptions of aversive social interactions underpinned the ostracism of solitude-seekers.

Conclusions:

• A preference for solitude is associated with an increased risk of interpersonal ostracism.
• Social exclusion may be a significant interpersonal cost of seeking solitude.
• Understanding these dynamics is crucial for social inclusion and well-being.