What happens when someone is ostracized?

When someone is ostracized, it generates a significant psychological and social impact. Being excluded from a group triggers a deep-seated fear because, historically, ostracization could result in a lack of resources, such as food and shelter, and even physical harm or death. This historical context underscores why public speaking is feared by many—the potential social rejection and subsequent isolation tap into primal fears of being ostracized and its dire consequences. These fears remain potent even in modern times, where the literal survival implications are less severe but the emotional and psychological effects are still profound 1 .