Effects of Social Rejection on Intrinsic Motivation: Possible Benefits of Social Rejection

This research seeks to see if there is a positive correlation between social rejection and intrinsic motivation. Not only will this research help identify the effects of social rejection, but it will also prove how social rejection can create a better future for individuals. If social rejection is proven to increase motivation, then individuals will seek to improve themselves and thus their lives, leading to success. In the experiment, participants will experience two types of social rejection, warmth rejection and competence rejection. Those in the warmth rejection group will be excluded from group activity, while those in the competence rejection group will complete a test and be told that they do not have the social skills necessary to continue in the study. Following these scenarios, participants will take the Achievement Motivation Inventory (AMI) to measure their level of intrinsic motivation. Comparing these to their respective control groups, similar scenarios in which participants will instead be included and accepted, its predicted that those who have experienced rejection, in particular competence rejection, will have higher AMI scores. Additionally, participants' level of neuroticism, measured by the Big 5 Personality Test, will be taken into account, the prediction being that those high on neuroticism will have decreased motivation following rejection rather than increased. The AMI results will determine how social rejection influences motivation, as those with larger positive changes in their scores will be more motivated to succeed in life.