MARQUETTE, Mich.—A psychology colloquium titled “Buffering the Impact of Ostracism with Acceptance: The Role of Attachment Style” will be held at Northern Michigan University on Friday, March 18. Anthony Hermann, psychology professor at Bradley University and NMU alumnus, will give the presentation at 3:10 p.m. in 167 Gries Hall. The public is invited free of charge.

            According to Hermann, nearly 20 years of research has demonstrated that the immediate effects of even incidental ostracism are painful, distressing and unmoderated. In order to investigate the possibility that unconditional positive regard could buffer the impact of being excluded, participants wrote about a person who accepts them unconditionally (or an acquaintance) and were either excluded or not from a virtual ball toss game. Results showed this reduced the impact of exclusion on self-esteem, sense of belonging and meaningful existence only for those with a secure attachment style. Implications for the study of ostracism and coping with ostracism will be discussed.

            The colloquium is sponsored by the NMU psychology department. For more information, call 227-2935.