Jennifer Whitson

Assistant Professor of Management and Organizations

About

Jennifer Whitson explores two phenomena crucial to sense-making and social regulation: control and power. Her work establishes a critical relationship between the psychological experience of lacking control and illusory pattern perception. She also investigates how those who lack power can seek control, examining how stigmatized groups can take control of the very slurs used against them via re-appropriation. Her work also explores how control is exerted via rewards and punishments in response to wrongdoing or honesty.

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8 Articles

An illustration of the outlines of a group of men and women, multicolored Research Brief / Gender

The Art of Selling Corporate Gender Equity Initiatives

Workforce doesn’t identify as feminist? Maybe don’t use that word

Research Brief / COVID-19

COVID Tested U.S. Health Systems — and its News Habits

Social media optimal for spreading conspiracy theories

Manager disapprovingly looks down at a distressed employee's work Research Brief / Workplace

Why Unloved Workers Don’t Share Productivity Tips with the Boss

Concept of attachment theory, born in developmental psychology, applied to the workplace

Two illustrated figures facing each other, both are wearing white masks and facing profile Research Brief / Workplace

People Suffer From Hiding Their Feelings – So Might Their Employers

Forced to nod in agreement, workers may embrace conspiracy theories, be less trusting

Illustration of three characters screaming at each other Research Brief / Workplace

Abusing a Co-Worker? Watch Your Back

Analysis of 250 studies finds the most common response to negative workplace behavior is an eye for an eye

Qanon supporters in a crowd Research Brief / Behavioral Decision Making

The Malleability of Who Falls for Conspiracy Theories

It’s not just sheep — even go-getters can be susceptible when they feel less in control

Illustration of a man and woman in business attire Research Brief / Workplace

Mobile Workers More Likely to Cold-Shoulder a Dishonest Co-Worker

Research compares U.S. behavior to norms in Asia

Illustration of one person pointing, another sitting, and wearing a tie with a briefcase Research Brief / Workplace

Bystanders Are Tougher than Victims in Punishing Office Misbehavior

Research looks beyond management to measure how co-workers police each other