Inclusion and Alienation in Social Psychology
Module 09 - Inclusion and Alienation
Social Psychology
Reading - Chapters 11 and 12
Phoebe Prince
Phoebe Prince was a 15-year-old girl who had recently moved from Ireland to Western Massachusetts with her family. Phoebe had been the victim of severe harassment and bullying by a number of her classmates that appeared to stem from a brief romantic relationship she had with one of her tormentors. What seems to have happened is that Phoebe dated a boy in her class for a short period of time. The relationship ended badly and subsequently the boy and eight of his friends began a vicious campaign of bullying and social alienation toward her.
She was subjected to verbal taunts and threats of violence both in and outside of school. The gang of bullies harassed Phoebe on a regular basis. They often followed her home, continuing to taunt and insult Phoebe, and even threw things at her. After six weeks of the unyielding harassment, Phoebe could take it no longer. She returned home from school and hung herself in a hallway (CNN Wirestaff, 2010).
Following Phoebe's death, state prosecutors issued indictments against nine of her classmates, charging them with crimes ranging from stalking to statutory rape. Any punishment these individuals might receive will likely offer little solace to Phoebe's family and friends.
What does this terrible event say about the nature of social ties, the impact of alienation, and people's need to feel a sense of belonging? Research reported by Baumeister et al. (1995), Pickett et al. (2004), and others indicate that a need for belongingness is a fundamental human emotion and an essential component to psychological health.
Baumeister's Research
Baumeister, Roy and Leary (1995) suggest that a positive and secure sense of belongingness maintains a powerful and significant effect on both emotional and cognitive functioning.
Feeling connected to others and a sense of belonging to a social group helps a person's overall wellbeing,
Social Psychology
Reading - Chapters 11 and 12
Phoebe Prince
Phoebe Prince was a 15-year-old girl who had recently moved from Ireland to Western Massachusetts with her family. Phoebe had been the victim of severe harassment and bullying by a number of her classmates that appeared to stem from a brief romantic relationship she had with one of her tormentors. What seems to have happened is that Phoebe dated a boy in her class for a short period of time. The relationship ended badly and subsequently the boy and eight of his friends began a vicious campaign of bullying and social alienation toward her.
She was subjected to verbal taunts and threats of violence both in and outside of school. The gang of bullies harassed Phoebe on a regular basis. They often followed her home, continuing to taunt and insult Phoebe, and even threw things at her. After six weeks of the unyielding harassment, Phoebe could take it no longer. She returned home from school and hung herself in a hallway (CNN Wirestaff, 2010).
Following Phoebe's death, state prosecutors issued indictments against nine of her classmates, charging them with crimes ranging from stalking to statutory rape. Any punishment these individuals might receive will likely offer little solace to Phoebe's family and friends.
What does this terrible event say about the nature of social ties, the impact of alienation, and people's need to feel a sense of belonging? Research reported by Baumeister et al. (1995), Pickett et al. (2004), and others indicate that a need for belongingness is a fundamental human emotion and an essential component to psychological health.
Baumeister's Research
Baumeister, Roy and Leary (1995) suggest that a positive and secure sense of belongingness maintains a powerful and significant effect on both emotional and cognitive functioning.
Feeling connected to others and a sense of belonging to a social group helps a person's overall wellbeing,