Why is rejection such a dreaded experience?
Sydney, Dec 10 (IANS) Rejection can be one of the most crippling of emotions whether it involves love, family or social situations – something we all dread. Even though rejection is a part of daily life, the experience can be devastating and can have serious psychological outcomes like loneliness, reduced self-esteem, aggression and depression. Now, a study done by Macquarie University psychology doctoral candidate, Jonathan Gerber, sheds new light on precisely what it is about rejection that makes us feel so bad. Gerber analysed 88 existing experimental rejection research studies. He found that while rejection moderately lowers mood and self-esteem, the loss of control felt by the person who has been rejected was found to be a major factor contributing further to their hurt and distress. Rejection makes us realise that we are not as powerful and in control as we would like to be, Gerber said. As a result, one of the first things most people do when rejected is to look for opportunitie
