Examining the link between social exclusion and social-risk taking: a correlational and experimental investigation

Abstract

Background: Previous research has consistently shown that social exclusion increases the proclivity for risk-taking. However, theoretical approaches like the Social Risk Hypothesis suggest that this relationship flips when confronted with social risks. Accordingly, the current study hypothesized that social exclusion decreases the propensity for social risks, in contrast to that for risks of other domains. Methods: To investigate this hypothesis, we conducted a correlational Pre-Study and a Main Study. In the latter, we tested our assumption in an experimental approach, manipulating exclusion vs. inclusion using the Cyberball and Future-Life paradigms. Results: Results of the Pre-Study revealed that exclusion was linked to risk-taking in general, however, not to risk-taking in social domains. The Main Study showed that an experimental induced instance of social exclusion dampened the propensity for social risks. It further disclosed this effect’s boundary condition: When individuals were socially excluded to an extreme extent, they did not demonstrate such a risk-averse reaction. Moreover, we identified low dominance as a mediator for the dampening effect of exclusion on social risk-taking. Conclusions: These findings indicate that social risk aversion in the aftermath of social exclusion might be an adaptive strategy in the short-term because the prevention of social risks and humble behaviors reduce signals of threat and elicit signals of support. However, this strategy might also produce a vicious circle of exclusion and, thus, higher costs in the long-term.