Work

Knowing versus Doing: How Much Can Training Help People Soften the Blow of Social Rejection?

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: People complain that they do not know what to say to soften the blow of social rejection. The adoption of language principles (i.e., avoiding apologies while using positive regard, sincere alternatives, and more words) may mitigate the negative consequences of social rejection. Does training help people independently exhibit greater communication skill or do people fail to perform despite "knowing better?" In Study 1, drift diffusion modeling suggested that training helped people "know it when they see it" (i.e., recognize precrafted wording options which better conveyed the language principles). Study 2 found that training aided people's success in independently crafting wording to convey the language principles. The current research highlights that existing social rejector frameworks and previous research on skill acquisition do not capture the experience of nonpunitive rejectors and presents a way that psychological science can address people's concerns about how to soften the blow of social rejection.

Source: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

DOI: 10.1177/01461672261439420

Authors: Sydney Okland, Gili Freedman, Jennifer S. Beer

Institutions: The University of Texas at Austin, St. Mary's College of Maryland

Language: English

Topic: Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900

Funder: Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences