THE INFLUENCE OF POWER AND STATUS ON THE OUTCOMES OF SOCIAL EXCLUSION

Abstract

Power and status are two fundamental concepts that affect social interactions in general, and the experience of social exclusion in particular. This paper seeks to investigate the effect of power and status on people’s experience of pain upon an event of social exclusion on the basis of lack of warmth or lack of competece. Study 1 investigates how being high status or high power cause people to feel more upon an event of social exclusion. Study 2 builds on study 1 by investigating whether the introduction of the basis of exclusion (warmth or competence) will produce any effects on the pain felt. The results of study 1 are not statistically significant, but point to a general trend that requires more research. Although the results of study 2 do not support the hypotheses, interesting observations are made. The implication of the results and fture research directions are also discussed.