Inoculating against the aversive effects of ostracism with acceptance: The role of attachment styles

Ostracism's immediate impact is painful. We investigated whether affirming an accepting relationship prior to being ostracized can inoculate against this pain, and whether this approach would only be effective for those with a secure attachment style. Participants completed an attachment style measure and wrote about an unconditionally accepting or neutral relationship prior to being either ostracized or included in Cyberball, a virtual...