On-line ostracism affects children differently from adolescents and adults

Abrams, D.; Weick, M.; Thomas, D.; Colbe, H.; Franklin, K.M.

doi:10.1348/026151010x494089

On-line ostracism affects children differently from adolescents and adults

Abrams, D.; Weick, M.; Thomas, D.; Colbe, H.; Franklin, K.M.

Authors

D. Abrams

Professor Mario Weick mario.weick@durham.ac.uk
Professor

D. Thomas

H. Colbe

K.M. Franklin

Abstract

This research examines adults', and for the first time, children's and adolescents' reaction to being ostracized and included, using an on-line game, 'Cyberball' with same and opposite sex players. Ostracism strongly threatened four primary needs (esteem, belonging, meaning, and control) and lowered mood among 8- to 9-year-olds, 13- to 14-year-olds, and adults. However, it did so in different ways. Ostracism threatened self-esteem needs more among 8- to 9-year-olds than older participants. Among 13- to 14-year-olds, ostracism threatened belonging more than other needs. Belonging was threatened most when ostracism was participants' first experience in the game. Moreover, when participants had been included beforehand, ostracism threatened meaning needs most strongly. Gender of other players had no effect. Practical and developmental implications for social inclusion and on-line experiences among children and young people are discussed.

Citation

Abrams, D., Weick, M., Thomas, D., Colbe, H., & Franklin, K. (2011). On-line ostracism affects children differently from adolescents and adults. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 29(1), 110-123. https://doi.org/10.1348/026151010x494089

Journal Article Type	Article
Online Publication Date	Feb 3, 2011
Publication Date	Mar 1, 2011
Deposit Date	Sep 12, 2018
Publicly Available Date	Sep 19, 2018
Journal	British Journal of Developmental Psychology
Print ISSN	0261-510X
Electronic ISSN	2044-835X
Publisher	Wiley
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	29
Issue	1
Pages	110-123
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1348/026151010x494089
Related Public URLs	http://kar.kent.ac.uk/27493/

Files

Accepted Journal Article (148 Kb)
PDF

Copyright Statement
This is the accepted version of the following article: Abrams, Dominic Weick, Mario , Thomas, Dominique Colbe, Hazel & Franklin, Keith M. (2011). On-line ostracism affects children differently from adolescents and adults. British Journal of Developmental Psychology 29(1): 110-123 which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1348/026151010X494089. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.