The influence of vicarious exclusion on prosocial behavioral intentions and the role of belief in a just world

Abstract

To examine the impact of vicarious exclusion on prosocial behavior intentions and the positive moderating role of belief in a just world, two experiments were conducted. Study 1 recruited 176 participants aged 18–22 years (57 males, 119 females) and manipulated vicarious exclusion using a situational imagery paradigm to assess its effect on prosocial behavior intentions. Study 2 involved 284 participants aged 18–22 years (97 males, 187 females) and utilized the Cyberball paradigm to manipulate vicarious exclusion, further exploring the moderating role of belief in a just world. The results revealed that vicarious exclusion significantly predicted a decrease in prosocial behavior intentions. Furthermore, belief in a just world positively moderated this relationship, such that individuals with higher belief in a just world were less affected by the negative impact of vicarious exclusion on their prosocial behavior intentions. This study highlights the negative influence of vicarious exclusion on prosocial behavior intentions and the protective role of belief in a just world, providing theoretical support for understanding individuals’ coping mechanisms in response to social exclusion.