Social Exclusion

Throughout the life span, individuals will belong to multiple groups, existing at different levels of affiliation, attachment, meaningfulness, and stability. From the global level (e.g., gender, ethnicity) to the local (e.g., peer groups, classrooms, or work groups), experience with and membership in social groups help shape the way individuals view their social world. Membership in these groups, however, is not always straightforward. Individuals are born into certain groups, (e.g., nationality; gender), but membership in others must be earned, established, and maintained. Social exclusion occurs when individuals are denied access to groups, or the resources associated with groups, due to their traits, characteristics, or other group affiliations. This entry discusses the forms of social exclusion, consequences of social exclusion, developing judgments of social exclusion, and factors ...