ABSTRACT
Research suggests that ostracism increases susceptibility to indirect forms of social influence (e.g., conformity). Yet, no study to date has explored whether the effects of ostracism extend to the most direct form of social influence—obedience. We investigated whether ostracized individuals would be more likely to obey a direct command to do something effortful in uncomfortable conditions. Participants (N = 62) were randomly assigned to be included or ostracized in Cyberball, or assigned to a control condition. They were then approached by the experimenter and commanded to go outside when temperatures were below 30°F and take 39 unique and creative photographs in the cold of winter. Ostracized participants were more likely to obey the experimenter’s command to be creative when taking photographs. No differences in obedience emerged between the inclusion and the control condition. We provided evidence completing the social influence “trifecta”: ostracism increases susceptibility to conformity, compliance, and now, obedience.
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Notes
1. 1. The pattern of results was consistent considering the four raters together or considering the two professional photographers separately from the other two coders.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Paolo Riva
Paolo Riva is affiliated with the Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca. His main research interests focus on social pain, or the hurtful feelings caused by social exclusion, ostracism, and rejection.
Kipling D. Williams
Kipling D. Williams is affiliated with the Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University. His primary interests focus on ostracism and social influence.
Alex M. Torstrick
Alex M. Torstrick is affiliated with the Psychology Department, St. John’s University.
Lorenzo Montali
Lorenzo Montali is affiliated with the Department of Psychology, University of Milan-Bicocca. His main research interests are in the social psychology of health and illness.