PsychologyAugust 17, 2026

ostracised

OS-truh-syzd

Definition

Excluded, rejected, or banished from a social group or community.

Etymology

Derived from the ancient Greek practice of 'ostrakismos,' where citizens were banished from a city by a vote cast on pottery shards called 'ostraka.' The term evolved into English to describe any form of social exclusion or shunning.

In the news

In the article, the term describes the social pressure adolescents feel to conform to gaming group norms for fear of being rejected by their peers. This fear often leads them to adopt aggressive behaviors they might otherwise avoid.

Video games: Entertainment or trigger for violent behaviour?

Read the full article ↗

Newswav

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