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.
Topics
![Photo of Jennifer Whitson](https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/jennifer-whitson.jpg)
8 Articles
![An illustration of the outlines of a group of men and women, multicolored](https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AR-thumb-gender-allies.jpg)
The Art of Selling Corporate Gender Equity Initiatives
Workforce doesn’t identify as feminist? Maybe don’t use that word
![](https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/AR-covid-conspiracy-thumb-760x570.jpg)
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](https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AR-worker-suggestions-thumb-760x570.jpg)
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](https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AR-mind-body-dissonance-thumb-760x570.png)
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](https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/AR-retaliation-hero-760x570.jpg)
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](https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/AR-prevention-promotion-hero-760x570.jpg)
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](https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/AR-workplace-mobility-hero-760x570.jpg)
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](https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/AR-punishment-co-workers-hero-760x570.jpg)
Bystanders Are Tougher than Victims in Punishing Office Misbehavior
Research looks beyond management to measure how co-workers police each other