Abstract
This research examines how ordinary and marginalised men interpret and respond to social rejection. Through a mixed-methods design combining an experimental manipulation of ostracism with a naturalistic analysis of online discourse, five studies investigated whether a belonging threat produces intergroup discrimination against women among ordinary men and whether such processes are reflected in the discourse of online communities characterised by chronic social rejection. Studies 1-3 employed the Cyberball paradigm across independent samples of male participants (Study 1: N = 276; Study 2a: N = 195; Study 2b: N = 136; Study 3: N = 508) using four distinct ostracism feedback methods. Contrary to theoretical predictions, participants did not discriminate against women following ostracism; Study 3 demonstrated a statistically significant outgroup favouritism effect. Study 4 extended these findings through behavioural coding of Reddit discourse across four communities: incels (N = 601), Jordan Peterson followers (N = 662), BeautyGuruChatter (N = 556), and femcels (N = 483). Despite their characterisation as misogynistic, incels were not more prone to explicit discrimination against women than other groups, although they engaged in the least empathetic discussions overall. Study 5 employed a discursive psychological analysis of incel discourse ( N = 601), revealing four interrelated themes through which incels construct and sustain collective identity by framing chronic rejection as systemic injustice. These findings challenge predictions that social rejection consistently produces prejudiced outcomes, suggestingthat incel identity enactment reflects ideological alignment and ingroup belonging rather than overt expressions of misogyny. Our findings have implications for understanding the effects of male marginalisation in similar or adjacent communities.