From my viewpoint, the deliberate act of shunning and exclusion (both subtle and high-key) represents a particularly damaging form of bullying. This strategy, seemingly calculated to gaslight and psychologically distress its victims, often denies these individuals a chance to defend themselves or make amends. It disproportionally affects those who struggle with social interaction, including neuro-atypical individuals, pushing them further into isolation.
Unfortunately, it is often the case that those who employ such tactics are driven by an insatiable desire for social status and power. They strive to preserve their reputations while subtly tormenting others, all without fear of obvious detection. This conduct seems to stem from a dysfunctional aspect of their psyche, a sort of elitism where societal norms are exploited as tools for manipulative bullying, with satisfaction derived from the distress they inflict. Due to the understated nature of this behavior, establishing intent can prove challenging beyond mere suspicion.
Adding to the disheartenment, these individuals are usually skilled in managing social situations and accumulating power — whether it's securing influential editorial positions, forming beneficial connections, and so forth. I choose not to name names, but I have witnessed individuals, including senior colleagues and high-profile researchers, subtly advocating for the exclusion or ostracization of peers without solid justification other than personal distaste. A dislike is personal, and perhaps best kept to oneself, rather than behaving in a petty manner. It would be more constructive to show tolerance towards those who may lack social grace.
Intriguingly, this behavior is often most noticeable among the HRM ug/HRM PhD crowd. Perhaps there's a broader issue with this group, leading to a higher prevalence of such behavior.