How to modify expectations of social rejection? An experimental study using a false-feedback paradigm

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Negative expectations (NEs) are central to many mental health disorders.
• Modulating NEs is crucial for effective clinical treatment.
• This study examines revising NEs of social rejection through positive social experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how positive social experiences alter pre-existing negative expectations of social rejection.
• To determine if attentional focus instructions can modulate the revision of these expectations.

Main Methods:

• 124 healthy participants were randomly assigned to four conditions.
• Participants received manipulated social feedback across three experimental phases.
• Conditions varied based on attentional focus instructions during positive feedback.

Main Results:

• Novel positive social feedback significantly changed social expectations.
• Attentional focus instructions did not modulate the revision of negative expectations.
• Trends suggested instructions aided NE modification, but this was not consistently robust.

Conclusions:

• Established expectations of social rejection can be revised by unexpected social acceptance.
• Further research is needed to identify optimal instructions for modifying NEs.
• Findings contribute to understanding psychological mechanisms underlying mental disorders.