Eric Wesselmann

Professor

Office

DEG Degarmo Hall 439

Office Phone

(309) 438-5235office
phone

edwesse@ilstu.eduemail

About
Education
Awards & Honors
Selected Research

Current Courses

PSY 365.001 Dynamics Of Social Behavior

PSY 412.001 Dynamics Of Social Behavior

PSY 499.019 Independent Research For The Master's Thesis

PSY 223.001 Social Psychology

PSY 290.019 Special Projects: Research Apprenticeship

PSY 599.019 Doctoral Research In Psychology

PSY 365.001 Dynamics Of Social Behavior

PSY 412.001 Dynamics Of Social Behavior

PSY 499.019 Independent Research For The Master's Thesis

PSY 400.019 Independent Study

PSY 223.002 Social Psychology

PSY 290.019 Special Projects: Research Apprenticeship

PSY 291.019 Special Projects:Undergraduate Teaching

Teaching Interests & Areas

Social Psychology;
Research Methods;
Psychology & Popular Culture (film/comics/music)

Research Interests & Areas

Social Connection and Exclusion;
Sexual Harassment;
Stigmatization;
Religion/Spirituality;
Moral Decision-Making;
Media, Fandom, & Popular Culture (film/comics/music)

Ph D Personality/Social Psychology

Purdue University

MA Industrial-Organizational/Social Psychology

Illinois State University

BA Psychology

Illinois State University

ISU College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding University Researcher in Social Sciences 2023-2024

Illinois State University

2023

Fellow of the Society of Personality & Social Psychology

Society of Personality & Social Psychology

2022

Janice Witherspoon Neuleib Award for Outstanding Scholarly Achievement 2021-2022

College of Arts & Sciences

2022

Outstanding College Researcher in Social Sciences 2022-2023

College of Arts & Sciences

2021

2017 Alumnus of the Year (Early Career)

ISU Department of Psychology

2017

Fellow of the Society of Experimental Social Psychology

Society of Experimental Social Psychology

2017

Fellow of the Midwestern Psychological Association

Midwestern Psychological Association

2016

Rising Star Designation

Association for Psycholgical Science

2015

Service Initiative Award (Early Career)

Illinois State University

2015

ISU 2015 College of Arts and Sciences Excellence Award for Outstanding Scholarly Achievement of the Year by a Pre-tenured Faculty Member

ISU College of Arts and Sciences

2015

Certificate of Excellence in Reviewing

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

2014

Research Initiative Award

Illinois State University

2014

Graduate Student Publication Award-2nd place

Purdue University, Department of Psychological Sciences

2011

Dissertation Research Award

American Psychological Association

2010

Graduate Student Publication Award-2nd place

Purdue University, Department of Psychological Sciences

2010

C. Eugene Walker Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Purdue University, Department of Psychological Sciences

2009

Conference Poster Award

International Society for Research on Aggression

2006

Grants and Contracts

CAS Faculty Research Award (FRA)

Eric Wesselmann

Illinois State University. May 2019 - August 2019

ISU Summer Faculty Fellowship (SFF)

Eric Wesselmann

Illinois State University. May 2018 - August 2018

Sage Foundation Speaker Fund

Eric Wesselmann

Illinois State University. October 23 2018

ISU College of Arts and Sciences International Travel Grant

Eric Wesselmann

Illinois State University. August 2017 - August 2017

The Role of Social Exclusion in Motivating Muslim Radicalism: An Experimental Investigation and a Proposed Remedy

Eric Wesselmann, Michael H. Pasek

American Psychological Association - Division 36 (Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) Research Seed Grant. August 2016 - May 2017

Investigation of human-machine trust/suspicion for robust autonomous intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance

Eric Wesselmann, Alex Barelka

Air Force Office of Scientific Research. August 2015 - May 2016

ISU Pre-Tenure Faculty Initiative Grant

Eric Wesselmann

Illinois State University. 2014 - 2015

ISU Grant Writing Mentorship Program

Eric Wesselmann

Illinois State University. August 2013 - December 2013

ISU New Faculty Initiative Grant

Eric Wesselmann

Illinois State University. 2013 - 2014

Replications of Important Results in Social Psychology

Eric Wesselmann, Kipling D. Williams, John Pryor

Center for Open Science. 2013 - 2014

ISU Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology's Designing a Quality Online Course

Eric Wesselmann

Illinois State University. - 2013

ISU Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology's Teaching Community Enhancement Grant

Eric Wesselmann

Illinois State University. - 2013

ISU Student Sustainability Project Grant

Eric Wesselmann

Illinois State University. - 2013

Publication Support Grant

Kimberly Schneider, Eric Wesselmann, Eros DeSouza, PhD

College of Arts and Sciences. - June 1 2017

Book, Chapter

Subtle discrimination based on gender and gender identity.

DeSouza, PhD, E., & Wesselmann, E.

(2022), DOI 10.24824/978625122.9, Segurança e violências: Perspectivas interdisciplinares [Security and violence: Interdisciplinary perspectives].

Exploring the overlap among workplace ostracism, mistreatment, and related constructs.

Wesselmann, E., & Dvir, M.

(2021), Workplace ostracism: Its nature, antecedents, and consequences.

Inclusion, exclusion, and group psychotherapy: The importance of a trauma-informed approach

Wesselmann, E., & Parris, L.

(2020), The psychology of groups: The intersection of social psychology and psychotherapy research.

Horror: A clown, at midnight.

Wesselmann, E., Langley, T., & Hicks, V.

(2019), 56-69, The Joker psychology: Evil clowns and the women who love them, Sterling

The allure: The therapist who falls.

Parris, L., Wesselmann, E., Clevenger, S., & Vicary, A.

(2019), 220-233, The Joker psychology: Evil clowns and the women who love them, Sterling

Trauma: More than one bad day.

Parris, L., & Wesselmann, E.

(2019), 270-281, The Joker psychology: Evil clowns and the women who love them, Sterling

Understanding common and diverse forms of social exclusion.

Wesselmann, E., Michels, C., & Slaughter, A.

(2019), 1-17, Current directions in ostracism, social exclusion and rejection research, Routledge

Words can hurt you: Discrimination through nonphysical aggression.

Banks, B., Parris, L., & Wesselmann, E.

(2019), 157-171, Black Panther psychology: Hidden kingdoms, Sterling

Natural supernaturalism: Why believe in magic and monsters?

Wesselmann, E., & Nairne, J.

(2018), 289-305, Supernatural Psychology: Roads Less Traveled, Sterling

Seeing human: When and why do we perceive “Human?”

Wesselmann, E., & Jordan, J.

(2018), 108-119, Westworld psychology: Violent delights, Sterling

Sympathy for the devil: Examining moral convictions, emotions, and struggles in Daredevil.

Wesselmann, E., & LaBouff, J.

(2018), 53-63, Daredevil psychology: The devil you know, Sterling

Balancing the warrior and the peace ambassador: Self-concepts and moral complexity.

Wesselmann, E., Lobato, E., & Jordan, J.

(2017), Wonder Woman psychology: Lassoing the truth, Sterling

The trek through identity.

Wesselmann, E., & Jordan, J.

(2017), Star Trek Psychology: The Mental Frontier, Sterling

Wild heroes: The hard work of being "moral."

Wesselmann, E., & Jordan, J.

(2016), 111-123, Captain America vs. Iron Man: Freedom, Security, Psychology, Sterling

Ostracism threatens personal security: A temporal need threat framework.

Wesselmann, E., Hales, A., Ren, D., & Williams, K.

(2015), Handbook of personal security, Psychology Press

The contextually grounded nature of prosocial behavior: A multi-scale, embodied approach to morality.

Jordan, J., & Wesselmann, E.

(2015), Oxford handbook of prosocial behavior, Oxford University Press

Ostracism and solitude.

Wesselmann, E., Williams, K., Ren, D., & Hales, A.

(2014), 224-241, A handbook of solitude: Psychological perspectives on social isolation, social withdrawal, and being alone, Wiley-Blackwell

Ostracism and stages of coping

Wesselmann, E., & Williams, K.

(2013), 20-30, The Oxford handbook of social exclusion, Oxford University Press

Ostracism in Cyberspace: Being ignored and excluded on the Internet.

Wesselmann, E., & Williams, K.

(2011), 127-144, Strategic uses of social technology: An interactive perspective of social psychology, Cambridge University Press

The link between ostracism and aggression.

Williams, K., & Wesselmann, E.

(2011), 37-51, The psychology of social conflict and aggression, Psychology Press

Ostracism and aggression.

Wesselmann, E., Ren, D., & Williams, K.

Fronteris of Social Psychology Series: Aggression and Violence, Psychology Press

Social Exclusion in Everyday Life

Wesselmann, E., Grzybowski, M., Steakley-Freeman, D., DeSouza, PhD, E., Nezlek, J., & Williams, K.

3-23, Social Exclusion: Psychological Approaches to Understanding and Reducing Its Impact, Springer International Publishing

Whistleblowers as portrayed in Media

Wesselmann, E., & Lannin, D.

Encyclopedia

Likelihood to Sexually Harass scale.

Pryor, J., & Wesselmann, E.

Routledge, (3rd), 328-330, (2010)

Social compensation

Williams, K., Chen, Z., & Wesselmann, E.

Sage, 2, 889-891, (2007)

Social exclusion

Williams, K., Wesselmann, E., & Chen, Z.

Sage, 2, 896-897, (2007)

Journal Article

Psychosocial Influences on Pain in Transgender Individuals

Clemens, K., Matkovic, J., & Wesselmann, E.

Frontiers in Pain Research, section Abdominal and Pelvic Pain, 6, (2025)

Psychosocial influences on pain in transgender individuals

Clemens, K., Matkovic, J., Odelson, A., Strain, A., & Wesselmann, E.

(2025)

A Mixed Methods Investigation into Latino Fathers’ Roles in Their Children’s Educational Expectations

Arellanes, J., Miller, K., & Wesselmann, E.

Journal of Latinos and Education, 1-13, (2024), https://doi.org/10.1080/15348431.2024.2388635

Exploring the motives for watching horror movies: A replication and extension

Wesselmann, E., Kahn, J., Arellanes, J., & Thimesch, A.

Psychology of Popular Media, (2024), https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000557

Discussing one’s fan interests with others can satisfy or threaten psychological needs

Wesslemann, E., Hesson-McInnis, M., Beck, J., Atkinson, C., & Arellanes, J.

Journal of Fandom Studies, 10 (2 & 3), 157-177, (2023), https://doi.org/10.1386/jfs_00061_1

Enhancing the Understanding of Suspicion Development Across Time: Two Studies on Human versus Virtual Teammates, Goal Type, Impulsivity, and Contrast Effects

Barelka, A., Bobko, P., & Wesselmann, E.

Behaviour and Information Technology, 42 (8), 1253-1269, (2022), https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2022.2070077

Miscarriage, perceived ostracism, and trauma: A preliminary investigation

Wesselmann, E., & Parris, L.

Frontiers in Psychology, 12, (2022), https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.747860/full

Being ostracized versus out of the loop: Redundant or unique predictors of variance in workplace outcomes?

Ramsey, A., Jones, E., Wesselmann, E., Jaffe, H., & Hesson-McInnis, M.

Journal of Applied Social Psychology, (2021), https://doi.org/10.1111/jasp.12712

Investigating Microaggressions against Transgender Individuals as a Form of Social Exclusion

Wesselmann, E.

Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, (2021), https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000513

The effects of sexual harassment, assault, and objectification on the Self

Wesselmann, E., Dvir, M., Kelly, J., & Pryor, J.

Self & Identity, 20 (7), 841-844, (2021), https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2021.1882551

Translation and validation of an Italian language version of the Religious Beliefs and Mental Illness Stigma scale (I-RBMIS).

Pingani, L., Giberti, S., Coriani, S., Ferrari, S., Fierro, L., Mattei, G., Nasi, A., Pinelli, G., Wesselmann, E., & Galeazzi, G.

Journal of Religion and Health, (2021), https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01195-9

“You phubbed me for that?” Reason given for phubbing and perceptions of interaction quality and exclusion.

McDaniel, B., & Wesselmann, E.

Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, (2021), https://doi.org/10.1002/hbe2.255

“You phubbed me for that?” Reason given for phubbing and perceptions of interactional quality and exclusion

McDaniel, B., & Wesselmann, E.

Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 3 (3), 413-422, (2021), 10.1002/hbe2.255

Seeking solitude after being ostracized: A replication and beyond.

Ren, D., Wesselmann, E., & van Beest, I.

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, (2020), DOI: 10.1177/0146167220928238/

The effect of thinking about being excluded by God on well-being: A replication and extension.

George, A., Wesselmann, E., Hilgard, J., Young, A., & van Beest, I.

The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, (2020), https://doi.org/10.1080/10508619.2020.1801228

Investigating Ostracism and Racial Microaggressions toward Afro-Brazilians.

DeSouza, PhD, E., Wesselmann, E., Taschetto, L., Rosa, G., Rosa, C., Yunes, M., da Silva, G., & Fernandes, G.

Journal of Black Psychology, 45 (4), 222-268, (2019), DOI:10.1177/0095798419864001

Cell phone induced ostracism threatens fundamental needs.

Hales, A., Dvir, M., Wesselmann, E., Kruger, D., & Finkenauer, C.

The Journal of Social Psychology, (2018), DOI: 10.1080/00224545.2018.1439877

Does perceived ostracism contribute to mental health concerns among veterans who have been deployed?

Wesselmann, E., Ispas, D., Olson, M., Swerdlik, M., & Caudle, N.

PLoS ONE, (2018), DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208438

Investigating how ostracizing others affects one’s self-concept.

Wirth, J., & Wesselmann, E.

Self & Identity, (2018)

Psychological flexibility and ostracism: Experiential avoidance rather than cognitive fusion moderates distress from perceived ostracism over time.

Tyndall, I., Waldek, D., Riva, P., Wesselmann, E., & Pancani, L.

Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, (2018), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2018.02.001

The Associations of Greek and Religious Organization Participation with College Students’ Social Well-being and Purpose

Turton, G., Nauta, M., & Wesselmann, E.

The Journal of Psychology Interdisciplinary and Applied, (152), 179-198, (2018)

The associations of Greek and religious organization participation with college students' social well-being and purpose

Turton, G., Nauta, M., Wesselmann, E., McIntyre, M., & Graziano, W.

Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied, 152 (4), 179-198, (2018), 10.1080/00223980.2018.1431601

When nobody “Likes” you: Perceived ostracism through paralinguistic digital affordances within social media.

Hayes, R., Wesselmann, E., & Carr, C.

Social Media and Society, (2018), DOI: 10.1177/2056305118800309

Confronting Subtle Workplace Mistreatment: The Importance of Leaders As Allies

Schneider, K., Wesselmann, E., & DeSouza, PhD, E.

Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 4, (2017), 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01051

Expectations of social inclusion and exclusion.

Wesselmann, E., Wirth, J., & Bernstein, M.

Frontiers in Psychology, (2017), DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00112

Invisible youth: Understanding ostracism in our schools.

Leja, A., & Wesselmann, E.

Communique, 42 (4), 1, 6, (2013)

Other

Psychosis: The insane brain.

Wesselmann, E., & Langley, T.

Sterling, 170-171, (2019)

Why so telic?

Wesselmann, E.

Sterling, 111, (2019)

Are heroes humble?

Wesselmann, E., & LaBouff, J.

Sterling, 87, (2018)

Stigma magic.

Pryor, J., & Wesselmann, E.

Sterling, 295, (2018)

Trauma and survivor guilt.

Wesselmann, E., & Parris, L.

Sterling, 59, (2018)

Investigating how individuals feel ostracizing others.

Wesselmann, E., & Wirth, J.

The Journal of Social Psychology, 155 (5), (2015)

Presentations

Miscarriage, perceived ostracism, and trauma in mothers and fathers.

Jordan A. Arellanes, Eric D. Wesselmann, Leandra Parris

Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, Illinoi, April, 2023

Cultivating Student Belonging and Success through a Collectivist Campus Community

Jordan Arellanes, Mike Hendricks, Chang Su-Russell, Eric Wesselmann

University-Wide Teaching & Learning Symposium, Normal, Illinois, January 11, 2023

Studying microaggressions as a form of social exclusion.

Eric Wesselmann, Eros DeSouza, PhD, Stephanie AuBuchon

Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL, May, 2020

Discussing one’s fan interests can satisfy or threaten psychological needs.

Eric Wesselmann