[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Social rejection increases perspective taking

## Details

**Authors** Knowles

**Year** 2014

**Publisher** Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

**Discipline** Cognitive Science

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2014.06.008) 
10.1016/j.jesp.2014.06.008

## In authors' words

### What they set out to do (purpose)

To explore the relationship between social dynamics and Perspective taking.

### What they found (results)

The participants who had to relive a rejection took other’s Perspectives more often than the ones who didn’t. The results showed that, “only highly motivated individuals—the rejected—marshal their limited resources to take another's point of view on a task requiring social coordination.” The third study showed that “adopting another's perspective enhances individuals' memory for their social environment.”

## Commentary

### In short

There is also a relationship drawn between perception and behavior, as those who were rejected were hyper aware of facial expressions and vocal tone as an indicator of acceptance. As such, perspective-taking is foundational to our social interactions with others.

### In more detail

The relationship between social dynamics and Perspective taking was also explored by Knowles, 2014. She completed three studies total, the first experiment was designed to test whether social rejection was related to a shift in Perspective from self-centered to other-centered. The experimental group was first asked to spend five minutes writing and reflecting on a time they felt rejected. They were then asked to perform a Perspective-taking exercise directly afterward. The participants who had to relive a rejection took other’s Perspectives more often than the ones who didn’t. The second study was designed to replicate the results and to assess the effort level of rejection-motivated perspective taking. The results showed that, “only highly motivated individuals—the rejected—marshal their limited resources to take another's point of view on a task requiring social coordination.” The third study showed that “adopting another's perspective enhances individuals' memory for their social environment.” When one is socially rejected, Knowles found that their ability and desire to take other’s perspectives increases dramatically, even when the brain is cognitively busy (although to a lesser degree). There is also a relationship drawn between perception and behavior, as those who were rejected were hyper aware of facial expressions and vocal tone as an indicator of acceptance. As such, perspective-taking is foundational to our social interactions with others.

**Patterns it shows** P

**How to cite this** Knowles (2014). Social rejection increases perspective taking. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.