Brief
Study finds ghosters feel more guilt than victims expect
Three studies reveal a mismatch between how ghosted individuals perceive their ghoster's feelings and the ghosters' self‑reported emotions.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Researchers from universities in California and Cambridge reported that people who abruptly cut off contact – known as "ghosting" – tend to underestimate the guilt, embarrassment and remorse felt by the ghoster, according to a study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
What happened
The team conducted three separate investigations covering real‑life experiences, imagined scenarios and live online interactions. Across all three studies, participants who were ghosted (the "ghostees") assumed their silent counterpart either did not care or had simply moved on. In contrast, the ghosters reported higher levels of negative emotion, especially when the silence was unintentional, such as forgetting to reply.
What the reports add
The study notes that a brief apology message, for example "sorry, can't talk," reduced the emotional gap between the two sides. It also cites prior surveys indicating that up to 80 % of single Britons have been ghosted in romantic contexts, while two‑in‑five have experienced ghosting from friends or family.
What was said
"Although online communication platforms provide convenience, they also bring a risk of ghosting," the authors wrote. "Across three studies, we find that people who are ghosted underestimate how bad their conversation partners feel about ghosting them."
How it came about
The research builds on growing academic interest in digital relationship dynamics, following earlier media coverage of the emotional impact of online dating behaviours.
Key facts
- Ghosters report feeling guilt, embarrassment and remorse after cutting off contact (dailymail.co.uk)
- Ghostees tend to assume the ghoster does not care or has moved on (dailymail.co.uk)
- A brief apology can lessen the emotional misunderstanding between ghoster and ghostee (dailymail.co.uk)
- Up to 80% of single Britons have been ghosted in romantic contexts (dailymail.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] dailymail.co.uk — originally reported as “Revenge of the ghosted! Study says those who cut contact feel worse”
