EvoS Journal: The Journal of the Evolutionary Studies Consortium
Volume 12, Special Issue 1, 2021
Title
To Ghost or To Be Ghosted: An Examination of the Social and Psychological Correlates Associated with Ghosting
Author(s)
Di Santo, J. M., Montana, D., Nolan, K., Patel, J. P., Geher, G., Marks, K., Redden, C., McQuade, B., Mackiel, A., Link, J., & Thompson, G.
Abstract
This paper examines the modern phenomenon known as “ghosting,” which can be defined as avoiding another individual (such as a family member, friend, or partner) by suddenly cutting off communication without providing an explanation. From an evolutionary perspective, given that our ancestors lived in small-scale societies, cutting ties with others would have had devastating consequences. To address variables connected with this kind of outcome, we conducted a study with 292 participants (M age = 21.45, SD = 4.19; 26% male, 72.6% female, .3% not listed, 1% preferred not to say). Significant correlations were found between scales measuring particular psychological constructs (e.g., adult attachment, sociosexuality) and ghosting experiences. A regression analysis found that specific constructs independently predicted ghosting experiences. A notable finding was that the more one has ghosted, the more they have been ghosted themselves, with the reverse also being true that the more one has ghosted, the more they ghost others. Overall, in examining the social and psychological correlates associated with ghosting, our findings suggest that those who had been ghosted and those who had ghosted others had a proclivity toward relatively difficult social, emotional, and psychological functioning compared to those with fewer ghosting experiences.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.59077/IQNF8568
How to cite this article:
Di Santo, J. M., Montana, D., Nolan, K., Patel, J. P., Geher, G., Marks, K., Redden, C., McQuade, B., Mackiel, A., Link, J., & Thompson, G. (2022). To ghost or be ghosted: An examination of the social and psychological correlates associated with ghosting. The Journal of the Evolutionary Studies Consortium, 12, Sp. Iss. (1), 43-62.
