Student Profiles
Social Psychology Student Receives NSF Predoctoral Fellowship
The National Science Foundation has awarded a predoctoral fellowship to Jane Stout, a second-year PhD student in social psychology. Each year thousands of first- and second-year doctoral students in science, math and social science apply, but only a very small percentage is selected. This year, of 913 awards granted, UMass Amherst received 5—4 in Natural Sciences and Mathematics and one in Social and Behavioral Sciences. The award includes a $30,000 stipend plus tuition and fees for three years for each awardee.
Stout’s advisor, social psychologist Nilanjana Dasgupta, who specializes in implicit social cognition and how it affects intergroup attitudes, beliefs, and behavior, says, “I’m a very proud ‘parent’ indeed, especially since this is the first such award in our division. And I’m delighted to report too that another of my advisees, Kumar Yogeeswaran, received an NSF honorary mention as well.”
Stout’s research seeks to synthesize three research literatures: ostracism, intergroup relations, and linguistic communication. “Ostracism, within social psychology, has been defined as ‘being ignored and excluded, and it often occurs without excessive explanation or explicit negative attention.’ I propose that one form of subtle group-based ostracism is the use of sexist language. For example, using gender-exclusive referents in everyday language (‘An ideal student is one who sets goals for himself.’) as opposed gender-inclusive referents (e.g., him or herself) fits the definition of ostracism; this language occurs without explanation or explicit negative attention. Also, this type of linguistic ostracism is subtle: it may be considered trivial by listeners and likely occurs without malicious intent. My research goal is to shed light on the new proposed link between group-based ostracism and subtle sexist language."
The extant research on ostracism focuses exclusively on interpersonal rejection. It doesn’t address whether such exclusion can occur at a group level or the impact of group-based ostracism on individual members’ felt security, emotions, and social behavior. Therefore, Stout will seek to answer a few core theoretical questions: Does gender-exclusive everyday language have the same impact as ostracism, leading to feelings of rejection, negative emotions, and decreased self-esteem? Do specific individual differences make people more or less sensitive to linguistic ostracism? What impact does group-based ostracism have on social behaviors like withdrawal, appeasement, and hostility?
“Because language is the primary means of human communication,” says Stout, “the study of linguistic ostracism has the potential to elucidate ways in which uses and misuses of language create social problems. Linguistic ostracism and the predicted negative impact on emotion, belonging, and self-esteem may have serious implications for individuals in terms of depression and aggression (like high school shooting sprees) and societies in terms of the exacerbation of group-based inequalities.”
The examination of group-based ostracism in general and linguistic ostracism in particular are fertile ground for examining how everyday acts that go virtually unnoticed may evoke withdrawal vs. approach responses, creating homogeneous or diverse social and professional communities. Stout’s long-term research program, now supported by this NSF predoctoral fellowship, will test whether gender-exclusive language is a type of ostracism, examine its cognitive and emotional results, test individual differences in sensitivity to ostracism, and investigate its effects on behavior.
April 3, 2008
