Miao, Xiao-Yan, Chan, Kai Qin, Gao, Cong, Lv, Sa-Sa, Zhu, Yuxi, and Wang, Zuo-Jun (2020) Underdogs make an alliance: the co-experience of rejection promotes cooperation. British Journal of Social Psychology, 59 (4). pp. 876-899.

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Abstract

Social rejection research has largely focused on the consequences of rejection when individuals experience rejection alone. Yet little is known about the reaction of those co-experiencing rejection. We tested the hypothesis that the co-experience of rejection increases cooperation between the co-experiencers. Three experiments provided supporting evidence for the hypothesis. The participants cooperated more when they co-experienced rejection than when they experienced rejection alone. The need to belong mediated the relationship between those co-experiencing rejection and cooperation. These findings shed light on the factors that initiate the formation of small groups, especially deviant ones.

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