Preprint - Combined Effects of Social Exclusion and Social Rank Feedback on Risky Decision-Making Across Adolescence

The study investigated how social rank feedback moderated the impact of social exclusion on risky decision-making in adolescents aged 11-19. Using an adapted version of the Columbia Card Task, participants (N = 122; 44% female; 87% L1 German) were randomly assigned to receive individual feedback or social rank feedback. Social exclusion was induced through the Cyberball paradigm. Surprisingly, social exclusion led to more cautious decision-making rather than increased risk-taking. Mid-adolescents were most affected by the combined effects of social exclusion and social rank feedback, whereas late adolescents exhibited caution only when playing individually post-exclusion. These findings suggest that social exclusion can enhance risk adaptation by heightening sensitivity to relevantinformation, with developmental nuances in its impact on behavior.