This book provides a comprehensive examination of the pervasive phenomenon of ostracism, exploring the short-and long-term consequences for targets as well as the functions served for those who exclude or ignore. Within a cogent theoretical framework, a research program is presented that makes use of such diverse methods as laboratory experiments, surveys, narrative accounts, interviews, Internet-based research, brief role-plays, and week-long simulations. The resulting data shed new light on how ostracism affects the individual's coping responses, self-esteem, and sense of belonging and control.