Neural responses to witnessing peer rejection after being socially excluded: fMRI as a window into adolescents' emotional processing.

TitleNeural responses to witnessing peer rejection after being socially excluded: fMRI as a window into adolescents' emotional processing.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsMasten CL, Eisenberger NI, Pfeifer JH, Dapretto M
JournalDev Sci
Volume16
Issue5
Pagination743-59
Date Published2013 Sep
ISSN1467-7687
KeywordsAdolescent, Female, Games, Experimental, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Los Angeles, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Peer Group, Regression Analysis, Rejection (Psychology), Social Distance, Stress, Psychological, Time Factors
Abstract

During adolescence, concerns about peer rejection and acceptance become increasingly common. Adolescents regularly experience peer rejection firsthand and witness these behaviors among their peers. In the current study, neuroimaging techniques were employed to conduct a preliminary investigation of the affective and cognitive processes involved in witnessing peer acceptance and rejection - specifically when these witnessed events occur in the immediate aftermath of a firsthand experience with rejection. During an fMRI scan, 23 adolescents underwent a simulated experience of firsthand peer rejection. Then, immediately following this experience they watched as another adolescent was ostensibly first accepted and then rejected. Findings indicated that in the immediate aftermath of being rejected by peers, adolescents displayed neural activity consistent with distress when they saw another peer being accepted, and neural activity consistent with emotion regulation and mentalizing (e.g. perspective-taking) processes when they saw another peer being rejected. Furthermore, individuals displaying a heightened sensitivity to firsthand rejection were more likely to show neural activity consistent with distress when observing a peer being accepted. Findings are discussed in terms of how witnessing others being accepted or rejected relates to adolescents' interpretations of both firsthand and observed experiences with peers. In addition, the potential impact that witnessed events might have on the broader perpetuation of bullying at this age is also considered.

DOI10.1111/desc.12056
Alternate JournalDev Sci
PubMed ID24033579
PubMed Central IDPMC3775008
Grant ListC06 RR012169-01 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
RR00865 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
RR12169 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
RR13642 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States