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Can Normative Influences Ease The Effects Of Social Exclusion?, Autumn Chall

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Being socially excluded has negative effects on a person’s well-being, both mentally and physically. Few studies have succeeded in finding a way to lessen these negative effects. Previous research in other domains have found that positive role models can help people to feel better about themselves and their situations. This study investigates the idea that role models could buffer the negative effects of social exclusion. Fifty-seven participants were either socially excluded, or, in the case of the control condition, included. Then participants were exposed to no essay, a neutral essay, or a role-model essay. Results showed that the role model …