Sociometer

The sociometer is a theoretical construct in social psychology that describes an internal monitor of social acceptance and belonging. It is proposed to explain why people are sensitive to others’ judgments and why self-esteem fluctuates with social inclusion or rejection.

Proposed by Mark R. Leary and colleagues in the 1990s, sociometer theory argues that self-esteem is not an intrinsic gauge of worth but a readout of relational value. The aim is to predict and regulate behavior to maintain proximity to others and avoid social exclusion.

According to the theory, when relational value is threatened, the sociometer lowers self-esteem, prompting behavior aimed at repairing social bonds. When acceptance is likely, self-esteem rises, reducing vigilance for inclusion and supporting continued goal pursuit. The mechanism is thought to be especially responsive to cues of belongingness, rejection, and social standing within a group.

Empirical research has used exclusion and inclusion paradigms to show that perceived belongingness affects self-esteem; experiments and longitudinal studies report that social rejection can temporarily reduce self-esteem, while acceptance can boost it. Neuropsychological and cross-cultural studies have provided converging evidence for the link between social evaluation and self-esteem.

Critics note that self-esteem is influenced by many factors, including achievement and personal traits, and that causality may be bidirectional. While not universally accepted, sociometer theory remains influential in explaining the function of self-esteem as a social monitor that helps regulate interpersonal behavior.