For instance, the Meaning in Life Questionnaire asks participants to rate their agreement with statements such as вЂњMy life has a clear sense of purposeвЂќ ( Steger, Frazier, Oishi, & Kaler, 2006). This subjective evaluation of the meaningfulness of oneвЂ™s life is how meaning is traditionally assessed (e.g., Crumbaugh & Maholick, 1964 Mascaro & Rosen, 2006). By meaning of life, however, people typically intend not a dictionary definition of life but rather a way to make sense of their existence. Literally, meaning refers to a nonphysical reality inherent in the relationship between a symbol or representation and that to which it refers. In the present investigation, we tested the hypothesis that social exclusion causes a global decrease in the perception of life as meaningful. A related prediction is made by Twenge, Catanese, and Baumeister (2003), who proposed that one effect of social exclusion is a retreat from meaningful thought. Hence social exclusion could threaten people at such a basic level that it would impair their sense of meaningful existence, as suggested by Williams (1997 2002). Consequently, the human capacity for sociality and for participation in culture likely evolved to facilitate survival ( Baumeister, 2005 Dunbar, 1993, 1997). Unlike most other animals, humans obtain much of what they need from their social group, rather than directly from the natural environment. Yet in practice, it seems likely that people find meaning in their social relations. LifeвЂ™s meaning does not obviously or inherently depend on social relations. Where do people find meaning in life? In principle, people could find meaning in communing with nature or with divinity, engaging in philosophical or religious contemplation, pursuing scientific or artistic or technological innovation, or other potentially solitary pursuits.

Pervasive ж„Џе‘і