Boykina. [Aggression through the prism of social ostracism]

Abstract:
Social ostracism is ubiquitous, ranging from exclusion on the playground in kindergarten to bullying in school, romantic rejection among adolescents, or workplace expulsion in adulthood. According to K.D. Williams ‘ model, ostracism (ignoring and/or excluding) threatens fundamental human needs (belonging, control, meaningful existence, self-esteem), causes «social pain». Studies of ostracism over the past 30 years have established a strong relationship between ostracism and aggressive responses, but social ostracism itself can take the form of aggression for punitive purposes. In the article, we give a review of research in the field of aggressive response to ostracism and a detailed scheme of studying ostracism (as a punishing element) among gifted children. The article may be useful to psychologists and teachers working with phenomenon of aggression, social exclusion.