Social Rejection Amplifies the Value of Choice

• DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/9w2js
• Publication Date: 2024-04-15T23:59:45Z
• Authors: Jordan Michelle D...; Melanie Ruiz; Emily G Brudner; Dominic S. Fareri
• Keywords: Value (mathematics)

Social rejection has been routinely associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes. However, less is known about how social impacts cognitive processes, including our decision-making abilities. This critical to understand, given ubiquitous experiences of have become in the current era media. In this pre-registered study, we hypothesized that would amplify value choice. Participants made choices whether participate a lottery themselves or defer choice computer across series interactions purported anonymous peers who provided varying degrees positive (e.g., likes) dislikes) feedback simulate acceptance. Subjective affect likelihood future engagement was measured. Following rejection, results revealed participants were more likely want choose for rather than computer. modulated pattern, such when reported feeling worse during task after they Further, significantly predicted participant’s willingness engage behavior their partners individual differences symptoms anxiety need belong), related behavior. Taken together, findings suggest experience can negatively impact affective states, perceptions others, degree which