PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

Skin cancer claims thousands of lives each year. Early detection through screenings can be life-saving, but what happens when people areexcluded from this crucial care — whether by a human or AI? In our pre-registered study (N = 180), we examine how rejection impacts psychologicalneeds and sparks retaliation, building on Williams' need-threat model and considering the role of the agent delivering the bad news. We found that beingexcluded significantly impacts self-esteem, a sense of meaningful existence, and control, leading to retaliation in the form of trash-talking. Interestingly,rejection by AI sometimes resulted in stronger reactions, although participants' self-explanations were similar across human and AI conditions. This timely,ethically-approved research unveils the emotional and behavioral consequences of healthcare exclusion in an increasingly digital world.