1. Introduction Inconsistent Findings in Social Rejection Literature One meta-analysis suggested social exclusion increases negative emotions (Gerber & Wheeler, 2009). Another meta-analysis concluded there was no emotional impact from exclusion (Blackhart, Knowles, Nelson, & Baumeister, 2009). Many studies indicate exclusion increases aggressive behavior (e.g., Twenge, Baumeister, Tice, & Stucke, 2001). However, some studies indicated that exclusion increases pro- social behavior (e.g., Maner, DeWall, Baumeister, & Schaller, 2007). Social Rejection – Dislike vs Disrespect Several studies concluded that excluded people believed they were not well-liked (Buckley, Winkel, & Leary, 2004; Leary & Baumeister, 2000). One experiment demonstrated that participants excluded in a game of Cyberball felt more disrespected than included participants (DeBono & Muraven, 2014). Dislike and Disrespect Affects Emotions and Behaviors Differently Feeling disrespected increases hostility, anger, and aggressive behaviors (Cohen, Nisbett, Bowdle, & Schwarz, 1996; Butler & Maruna, 2009; Greenberg, 1993). Feeling disliked puts people in a bad mood (Curtis & Miller, 1986) and increases sadness (Oldehinkel, Rosmaen, Veenstra, Dijkstra, & Ormel, 2007). Being disrespected led to more anger and aggression whereas being disliked led to greater sadness and prosocial reactions (DeBono, 2012; DeBono & Muraven, 2014). Primary Hypothesis Consistent with previous quantitative research indicating that disrespectful rejection increases anger and aggression, qualitative research should further support that being disrespected increases anger and aggression more than being disliked. Results Participants reported significantly different reactions to being disrespected than being disliked Participants reported more aggressive behaviors from being disrespected (34%) than being disliked (21%), χ 2 (N = 105, 5) = 13.17, p =.02. Participants were more likely to report pro-social reactions (12%) or not reaction at all (17%) to being disliked than stories about being disrespected (2%, 4%). Conclusion Results are consistent with previous quantitative research that disrespectful rejection leads to greater anger whereas disliking rejection leads to greater sadness. Furthermore, these results are also harmonious with previous quantitative findings that aggression is more likely to result from being disrespected whereas more pro-social reactions are more likely to occur from being disliked. These results also demonstrate that the method of how people are rejected is critical for understanding when they will feel disrespected vs. disliked. Future research should further examine the emotional and behavioral consequences these methods of rejection. References Blackhart, G. C., Knowles, M. L., Nelson, B. C., & Baumeister, R. F. (2009). Rejection elicits emotional reactions but neither causes immediate distress nor lowers self-esteem: A meta-analysis review of 192 studies on social exclusion. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 13, 269-309. Buckley, K., Winkel, R., & Leary, M. (2004). Reactions to acceptance and rejection: Effects of level and sequence of relational evaluation. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 40, 14–28. Butler, M., & Maruna, S. (2009). The impact of disrespect on prisoners’ aggression: Outcomes of experimentally inducing violence- supportive cognitions. Psychology, Crime and Law, 15, 235-250. Cohen, D., Nisbett, R. E., Bowdle, B. F., & Schwarz, N. (1996). Insult, aggression, and the southern culture of honor: An "Experimental ethnography". 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If you can't join them, beat them: Effects of social exclusion on aggressive behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81, 1058-1069. To Be Disliked or Disrespected: A Qualitative Study on Emotional and Behavioral Reactions Natarshia Corley & Amber DeBono, Ph.D. Winston-Salem State University Method Participants Undergraduate students (N=57) from the State University of New York at Albany Procedure Participants were asked to write a story about a time they were disrespected and another about when they were disliked. Three raters coded 105 stories (53 disrespected and 52 disliked) for: 1.Who disrespected or dislike them 2.How were they disrespected or disliked 3.Emotional experience 4.Behavioral Reactions 3 coders were reliable for all coding: ICCs >.50 (Fleiss, 1986). Results Four disrespected stories and five disliked stories were not analyzed because the participants did not follow the instructions leading to the coding of 105 stories (not 114). Stories did not differ in who they reported disrespected and disliked them, χ 2 (N = 105, 10) = 8.69, p =.56. Participants significantly differed in reporting how they were disrespected vs. disliked, χ 2 (N = 105, 12) = 21.79, p =.04. Participants reported significantly different emotions, χ 2 (N = 105, 5) = 11.34, p =.05. Participants reported more frequently anger from being disrespected (30%) than being disliked (15%). Participants reported more frequently feeling more sadness (8%) and shame (6%) from being disliked than being disrespected (0%, 2%). Method of RejectionDisrespect StoryDislike Story Called names15%8% Lied to8%0% Talked down to15%8% Gossiped about13%4% Ignored17%49%