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Pain of Rejection Scientifically Proven

Earl the Girl writes "As Ian Sample of the guardian writes 'The pain of rejection is more than mere metaphor. A team of scientists have found that to the brain, a social snub is just like stubbing a toe.' Good to know the scientific tradition of reducing metaphors to mere similies is alive & well."

54 comments

  1. So much for the old adage by Dachannien · · Score: 1

    "Sticks and stones can break my bones..."

    1. Re:So much for the old adage by Mattcelt · · Score: 2, Funny

      "...but whips and chains excite me."

      What does this have to do with rejection again?

    2. Re:So much for the old adage by Dachannien · · Score: 1

      It was the concept that somebody telling you that "you suck, I don't wanna play with you" hurts in a way that is neurologically similar to the physical pain of them beating the crap out of you.

    3. Re:So much for the old adage by Mattcelt · · Score: 1

      Sorry, my original post hasn't been modded (Score:5; Funny) yet so you missed the joke. Understandable. (Modders, please fix this.)

      The adage is supposed to be "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." But since the original poster didn't put the second part in, I thought I'd fill it in with a popular American perversion of the quote.

      This is supposed to be funny, because "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but whips and chains excite me" is unexpected (by most people who know the original quote) and slightly naughty. And of course, the new quote completely breaks the congruity of the original threader's point AND the relevance to the article.

      So the essence of the overall joke was that I was pretending to be ignorant of the original adage and thinking that the threader's comment was supposed to finish the way I wrote it. And then I asked how that "new" quote was relevant to the article because the new ending broke the congruity.

      Does it make sense now?

      *sigh* and jokes are never as funny after you have to explain them...

    4. Re:So much for the old adage by geek42 · · Score: 0, Offtopic
      Honestly, what's the world come to when we have to explain the simplest little joke.

      "The anticipated response of the average audience member, which is to come up with an amusing and/or complex solution to the conundrum, combined with the unexpected and almost profound simplicity of the answer - `to get to the other side' - make the joke funny."

    5. Re:So much for the old adage by weeboo0104 · · Score: 0, Redundant

      "Sticks and stones can break my bones..."

      ...but whips and chains excite me!

      --
      It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. -Frederick Douglass
    6. Re:So much for the old adage by Knetzar · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but for people that understand the joke, listening to someone explain it is REALLY funny :)

    7. Re:So much for the old adage by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That was hilarious. I opened your post wondering how the hell someone would refute that, and hilarity ensued.

    8. Re:So much for the old adage by Dachannien · · Score: 1

      Well, I got the joke part, but took you seriously when you said "What does this have to do with rejection again?"

      Hence, I answered your question.

  2. BUSH GONNA FEEL SOME PAIN IN '04 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0




    SNUB SHRUB 2004
  3. -1 Troll by pmz · · Score: 0, Troll


    (sob)

    1. Re:-1 Troll by SkiifGeek · · Score: 1

      WTF??

      Obviously there are some moderators who just don't understand the subtlety of humour.

      Poor pmz, feeling all rejected and hurt, and now the moderators go and make him a troll, hurting him even more.

      It's okay pmz, people still love you,

      somewhere,

      maybe...

    2. Re:-1 Troll by pmz · · Score: 1


      Obviously there are some moderators who just don't understand the subtlety of humour.

      I'm not so sure. I found it amuzing (well, painfully amuzing) that someone stuck it to me with a genuine "-1 Troll" moderation.

      So, how do we mod up a troll mod as funny? I think we need a moeration system for the moderations. It'll be great, I'm sure of it...well, until someone uses the second-level of moderation for humor...of course, we can just keep adding more levels of moderation!

  4. ha by gyratedotorg · · Score: 2, Funny

    i guess i'll be getting lots of dates now, unless these girls want to have charges brought up against them for assult. =)

    --
    Gyrate Dot Org - "Where high-tech meets low-life"
  5. Only you can prevent /. snubs... by orthogonal · · Score: 1

    A team of scientists have found that to the brain, a social snub is just like stubbing a toe.'

    And they're absolutely right. I should know.

    I've been feeling the pain of rejection a lot lately.

    I got laid off.

    Soon after I told my girlfriend about it, she dumped me.

    Then one of my closest friends moved out of the country.

    I'm camped out all alone in my cramped apartment, drinking cheap malt liquor and eating chips and salsa.

    My only social outlet these days is -- on Slashdot. I don't think I have to explain the horror, the dark and lonely abyss, of that.

    And imagine the anguish when I even get snubbed on Slashdot!

    Only one thing makes me feel better, only one thing makes me feel like I have anything to offer, that I have any worth at all: seeing my Slashdot posts get modded up.

    Please, save me from more pain heaped on pain, and consider being a brief ray of happiness in the dismal, stygian darkness of my pathetic, shameful, pain-filled life, and mod this post up!

    (+1 Funny is my fav!)

    1. Re:Only you can prevent /. snubs... by Mattcelt · · Score: 1

      Stop snivelling, you pansy!

      --

      Just kidding.

    2. Re:Only you can prevent /. snubs... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      *snub* *snub*

  6. It is? by ApharmdB · · Score: 1

    Daaaaamn. I'm surprised I still have toes then.

  7. More like an analogy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    reducing metaphors to mere similies

    that wasn't changing a metaphor into a simile it was really just creating an analogy.

    1. Re:More like an analogy by gazbo · · Score: 1
      Quite. The poster does not know the difference between simile and metaphor.

      That said, "analogy" isn't quite there either.

    2. Re:More like an analogy by blate · · Score: 1

      No, the poster is pretty close.

      [Prior to this research] talking about the "pain of a broken heart" is a metaphor. Your heart's not really "broken" and you don't experience physical pain. So speaking of the "pain of a broken heart" is using a metaphor; metaphors state something directly (without the use of the words like, as, etc) and don't generally make literal sense.

      [After this research] the pain of rejection can now be considered analagous to physical pain. So that "slap in the face" is almost literally accurate.

      To be more clear:

      Metaphor: "When she broke up with me, it broke my heart."

      Simile: "When she broke up with me, it felt like {my heart broke, she slapped me in the face, etc}.

      It now is accurate to compare emotional pain with physical pain (if you believe the research), so rather then using a metaphor, you can use a simile.

      Or you can just be pedantic. :)

  8. What ever by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    I guess the joy of being an insensitive clod is that I never feel any pain due to rejection.

    Go ahead and mod me down. See if I care.

  9. Lesson for mods by netringer · · Score: 1
    The moral for /. mods is that you should remember this before you mod a comment down.

    You will cause pain to the poster, you insensitive clod!

    --
    Ever dream you could fly? Get up from the Flight Sim. I Fly
    1. Re:Lesson for mods by Carnildo · · Score: 1

      I guess that means sadistic moderators have more reason than ever to mod people down.

      --
      "They redundantly repeated themselves over and over again incessantly without end ad infinitum" -- ibid.
    2. Re:Lesson for mods by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes and even us ACs have feelings too! How would you like your default score to be 0?

      Yeah, that's what I thought.

  10. That old addage... by blate · · Score: 1

    So I guess that old expression, "I left with my ass in a sling" isn't so far from the truth afterall... :)

  11. all they had to do by falsification · · Score: 1
    They didn't need a study. All they had to do was ask me.

    It's doubly worse, though, when you are amongst your fellow rejectees, on a place like Slashdot, and you are flamed and ostracized. When the rejectees reject you, you are left with nothing but redundant dejection.

  12. I wonder by joeslugg · · Score: 1

    Scientists have known for some time that when a person is physically hurt, a part of the brain called the anterior cingulate flickers into action.

    I wonder if that thingy does anything peculiar in people suffering from depression? Like maybe it 'flickers' constantly? Curious...

  13. Re: What is amazing is.. by Madcapjack · · Score: 1

    sorry dude

  14. Living Proof by BrynM · · Score: 1

    As someone who had a four year relationship end earlier this week, I can personally attest to the similarities to physical pain. A very timely peice for me... hrmph.

    --
    US Democracy:The best person for the job (among These pre-selected choices...)
    1. Re:Living Proof by Mattcelt · · Score: 1

      I'm sorry, dude. I know how you feel. But you knew it had to end. It was just a matter of time before it happened.

      Dreamcast users are a dying breed!

    2. Re:Living Proof by statusbar · · Score: 1

      That's why you gotta be the one doing the dumping. Then it doesn't hurt!

      --jeff++

      --
      ipv6 is my vpn
    3. Re:Living Proof by rekkanoryo · · Score: 1

      That depends, actually. Every once in a while the one doing the dumping has enough of a conscience to feel some pain as well.

    4. Re:Living Proof by statusbar · · Score: 1

      Have you ever really experienced that??? Or did your ex's just pretend to feel pain?

      Did any of them say "I'm sorry but I can't see you anymore because I am infatuated with your best friend. But I feel terrible pain because I am dumping you." ????

      Both your roommate and your 'friend' have no respect for you and are only getting together because of their relationship WITH you. They are playing games. If you like to play games, go along with it. If you don't, leave now. Remember there is no use wrestling with pigs - you only get muddy and the pigs LIKE mud.

      Your 'friendship' with this girl was never really a friendship anyways as obviously there was a sexual twist to it.

      If your roommate were having sex with a different girl, would you feel as bad as you do now?

      I've been in all sides of this exact situation before. Never again.... the infernal triangle of Victim, Abuser, and Savior. Step out of the triangle and deal with people worthy.

      Unless you feel you are not worthy...

      --jeff++

      --
      ipv6 is my vpn
    5. Re:Living Proof by rekkanoryo · · Score: 1

      Actually, I was on the giving end. I just no longer had feelings or interest for the woman and felt pain because of it--because I was at the point I was leading her on. I've been led on before, and I know it's not fun. It's not simple guilt. When I realize I've become a hypocrite it doesn't just spawn guilt, it spawns pain too because I automatically put myself in the other person's shoes. Call me crazy if you will, or even a liar, but it did happen.

    6. Re:Living Proof by Knetzar · · Score: 1

      I'm glad to know I'm not the only guy that this happens to...and I'm also glad to know that others think it's ok for me to think both of them are out of line...

    7. Re:Living Proof by jafuser · · Score: 1

      This is called empathy. Some people are born without the empathy gene. After a while, you learn to ignore these people, becuase they will exploit any opportunity possible to cause you grief for their own enjoyment.

      --
      Please consider making an automatic monthly recurring donation to the EFF
  15. Tell me about it. by Deanasc · · Score: 1

    Every time I get modded down it hurts a little inside.

    --
    I've hit Karma 50 and gotten a Score:5, Troll... I win!
  16. Tell us, Michael... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ..how much pain do you endure on a daily basis from the bashing of /. users who think you're a dumbass?

  17. Nope by gazbo · · Score: 1
    That was a little disingenuous - you changed the phrases to have subtly different meanings rather than just from metaphor to simile:

    Metaphor: "When she broke up with me she stabbed me in the heart"

    Simile: "When she broke up with me it was like she stabbed me in the heart"

    So, in fact, if anything a simile is less literal a statement, as you are explicitly stating that it's not so, merely a comparison.

    And though I was indeed being pedantic, I am only pedantic when someone deserves it, such as when they make a mistake using an unnecessarily bombastic phrase. Actually, I most often correct people when they use the words "whom" and "whomever" incorrectly. Never the other way round, for reasons that should hopefully be clear.

    1. Re:Nope by jnana · · Score: 1
      I believe that the simile is actually more literal. The metaphor is ostensibly literal, but we interpret it figuratively because we know that it isn't *really* meant to be taken literally. The simile, on the other hand, is to be taken absolutely literally, since it merely expresses similarity (rather than the figurative identity of the metaphor).

      Also, since you seem to be a prescriptivist, I couldn't resist informing you of your incorrect use of 'hopefully.' See http://www.grammarmudge.cityslide.com/page/page/22 5103.htm#3591 or http://www.bartleby.com/61/41/H0274100.html for more information.

    2. Re:Nope by gazbo · · Score: 1
      I wrote an intelligent and witty response, but slashdot went all flakey and ate it. Instead have the link on its own; you'll probably enjoy the whole site, although it's mainly about words and etymology rather than grammar.

      Also, I didn't realise that intelligent people were allowed on Slashdot unless they are trolling. You are distorting my world-view.

    3. Re:Nope by jnana · · Score: 1
      Very interesting article, and a great site. Thanks! I take back my smart-ass words. I just tend to be a descriptivist, and try to find 'errors' with people who sound too prescriptivist. I realized, though, after posting the message that you're not necessarily prescriptive. Correcting people who misuse 'whom' and 'whomever' is something I also enjoy, because they invariably the ones in whose minds a little knowledge is dangerous. What I object to is the opposite case: people who in everyday conversation tell others that it is never correct to say who when it's the object of a preposition, or end a sentence with a preposition, or whatever. That is way too prescriptive for my taste, and too far detached from the living source of lanuage -- the way people actually speak and write (I'm thinking novelists, not academics).

      Anyway, if such other sentence adverbs as strictly, thankfully, and actually are okay -- and they certainly are; I just hadn't thought of them -- then I hereby declare that hopefully is okay too, and will stop restraining myself when I sense it on my tongue.

      p.s. Don't change the world-view too much! Trolls have 'serious' accounts, too ;-) Ho hum, back to work...

  18. It's a good thing by Kethinov · · Score: 2, Funny

    that slashdot didn't reject this article! It might have been most painful to the submitter! ;)

    --
    You're right, I wouldn't steal a car. But if it were possible, I sure as hell would download one!
  19. Pain Killers by JonoPlop · · Score: 1

    So does that mean that 'conventional' pain killers should ease emotional pain as well?

    Although, a recent Wired article says that "Morphine kills the perception of pain by limiting sensory input to the brain", so perhaps the current conventional drugs stop the pain from the rest of the body reaching the brain, as opposed to pain already internal to the brain.

  20. Anal Probes of Women by MonkeyBoyo · · Score: 2, Funny
    The "hook" of this story (social loss = physical pain) depends on characterizing activity in the anterior cingulate region of the brain as perception of pain. But who knows what affects are localized there? The region may correlate with higher affects - maybe social anger, helplessness, etc. If a researcher has you inside a MRI and is sticking pins in your fingers to cause pain, I am sure you would be feeing many things toward that reasearcher other than just pure pain.

    For example, a crying child can activate a woman's anterior cingulate.

    For another example, forced rectal distension causes activity in the anterior cingulate for women but not for men.
    Twenty-eight healthy, young (20-44 yr) volunteer subjects (13 male, 15 female) were studied with a paradigm-driven functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique during barostat-controlled rectal distension at perception threshold and 10 mmHg below and above perception threshold. Male subjects showed localized clusters of fMRI activity primarily in the sensory and parietooccipital regions, whereas female subjects also showed activity in the anterior cingulate and insular regions.
    ("barostat-controlled rectal distension" basically means Inflating a balloon in your ass.)

    Is there a direct line from women's rectums to the anterior cingulate or does the activity represent some higher affect? And why women and not men? Then again, the story wouldn't be too compelling if its title was:
    Heartbreak is like a Woman with an anal probe
  21. How Long... by Hank+Reardon · · Score: 1
    How long before there's a "Pain and Suffering" lawsuit filed based on this research?

    I can almost see it now... Some drunk, slobbering fool suing the party he asked out.

    --
    There's so little difference between politics and jihad lately...
  22. rimshot by gnovos · · Score: 1

    A team of scientists have found that to the brain, a social snub is just like stubbing a toe.'

    The pain of rejection... the agony of da feet...

    --
    "Your superior intellect is no match for our puny weapons!"
    1. Re:rimshot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Since you didn't get a +1 Funny, I'd just like to chime in with a big LOL to let you know at least one person got it =)

  23. New? by joelt49 · · Score: 1

    OK, I don't see how this is new. The pain of rejection is not real physical pain. All the article says is that it involves similar regions of the brain. The fact that it is related to physical pain has been proven by authors, otherwise they wouldn't use it. Granted, they affect the same region of the brain, but they're still distinctly different signals to the brain. Oh, yeah, and the quote at the bottom of the page is very appropriate: "If you suspect a man, don't employ him."

  24. I just want to disagree by Knetzar · · Score: 1

    I have no reason. In fact I'm really bad with grammar, but I felt the need to tell everyone else they are wrong :)

  25. So if you have a high tolerance for physical pain? by NateTech · · Score: 1

    Would you also possibly have a high tolerance for "social" pain?

    Could this be a future extension of this study to find whether or not people who push themselves physically to the limits of human performance also appear to be the people who are the very least concerned with what others think about them?

    Most "great" athletes say they are competing against only one person -- themselves.

    In addition, could this relate at a low level to people with high tolerance for pain coming across as somewhat "anti-social" because they have little or no reaction to the "social pain" others may feel deeply when rejected or ignored?

    --
    +++OK ATH
  26. Rejection can also adversely affect health by jafuser · · Score: 1
    From:

    http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/news/articles.asp ?i d=25788

    Constant rejection can adversely affect the body as it can lead to poor mental health, depression, anxiety and feelings of loneliness, said assistant psychology professor Shelly Gable.

    "Not feeling socially integrated can have a higher risk of mortality than smoking," she said.

    According to the 2002 Annual Review of Psychology, individuals who suffer from major depression are at higher risk of having heart attacks compared with those with no history of depression.

    "Being socially integrated is extremely important for health and well-being," Gable said.
    --
    Please consider making an automatic monthly recurring donation to the EFF