Aggression and prosocial behaviors after social rejection: The role of basic need threat and positive-negative affect

In the current study, we aimed to examine the effect of social rejection on aggression and prosocial behaviors. In the first experiment, the effect of social rejection on aggression towards both rejecters and innocent third parties, and the roles of basic need threat and affects in this effect were examined. The sample of the first experiment consisted of 100 undergraduate and graduate students, 66 female and 34 male, aged between 18-28. Rejection manipulation was applied to the participants with the Cyberball paradigm in the laboratory environment and their aggression levels were measured with the Taylor Aggression Paradigm. The Positive-Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) was applied before and after Cyberball paradigm and after aggression, and the need threat scale after the rejection manipulation. The findings indicated that the individuals who were rejected showed less aggression towards the rejecters, than the ones who were accepted. In the second study, the effect of social rejection on prosocial behaviors towards both rejecters and innocent third parties, and the role of basic need threat and affects in this effect were examined. The sample of the second study consisted of 100 undergraduate students, 67 female and 33 male, between the ages of 18 and 28. The prosocial behavior levels of the participants were measured with the Dictator Game after Cyberball paradigm. Positive-Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) was applied before and after Cyberball paradigm and after prosocial behavior; and after the rejection manipulation, the need threat scale was applied. According to the findings, rejected participants showed lower levels of prosocial behavior, regardless of the target, compared to the ones who were accepted. In addition, within the scope of the both studies, we supported that social rejection increases negative affect and decreases positive affect; also both aggression and prosocial behavior opportunities repair the affective states of rejected individuals.