Kip Williams

Areas of Expertise

• Ostracism
• Social Loafing
• Social Compensation
• Stealing Thunder
• Internet Research
• Psychology and Law

Department of Psychological Sciences Research Area(s)

• Social Psychology

Biography

My interests lie broadly in group processes and social influence. My specific research topics include ostracism, social loafing and social compensation, stealing thunder, Internet research, and psychology and law.

I work primarily on ostracism–being ignored and excluded–and how it affects individuals and groups. Our studies indicate that the initial reaction to ostracism is pain, which is similarly felt by all individuals regardless of personality or social/situational factors. Ostracism then instigates actions aimed at recovering thwarted needs of belonging, self-esteem, control, and meaningful existence. Our thinking is that control and existence-fortification can lead to anti-social behaviors, belonging and self-esteem-fortification often leads to social attentiveness and pro-social behaviors. However, a possible dysfunctional consequence of enhancing one’s inclusionary status is heightened social susceptibility. We are currently investigating the effects of ostracism on social susceptibility, pro-social behaviors, and aggression.

Education

• PhD, 1981, The Ohio State University

Websites

• Website

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Diversity CATALYST, Purdue University, 2016 - present
• Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Department of Psychological Sciences, 2020 - present

Current Courses

• PSY 43200 - Social Psychology and Film
• PSY 64200 - Social Influence