Eric Wesselmann
Professor
Psychology
- About
- Education
- Awards & Honors
- Research
Current Courses
PSY 390.019 Advanced Research Apprenticeship
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
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 & Contracts
CAS Faculty Research Award (FRA). Illinois State University. Illinois State University. (2019)
ISU Summer Faculty Fellowship (SFF). Illinois State University. Illinois State University. (2018)
Sage Foundation Speaker Fund. Illinois State University. Illinois State University. (2018)
ISU College of Arts and Sciences International Travel Grant. Illinois State University. Illinois State University. (2017)
The Role of Social Exclusion in Motivating Muslim Radicalism: An Experimental Investigation and a Proposed Remedy. American Psychological Association - Division 36 (Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) Research Seed Grant. Other. (2016)
Investigation of human-machine trust/suspicion for robust autonomous intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance. Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Federal. (2015)
ISU Pre-Tenure Faculty Initiative Grant. Illinois State University. Illinois State University. (2014)
ISU Grant Writing Mentorship Program. Illinois State University. Illinois State University. (2013)
ISU New Faculty Initiative Grant. Illinois State University. Illinois State University. (2013)
Replications of Important Results in Social Psychology. Center for Open Science. Private. (2013)
ISU Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology's Designing a Quality Online Course. Illinois State University. Illinois State University.
ISU Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology's Teaching Community Enhancement Grant. Illinois State University. Illinois State University.
ISU Student Sustainability Project Grant. Illinois State University. Illinois State University.
Publication Support Grant. College of Arts and Sciences. Illinois State University.
Book, Chapter
DeSouza, PhD, E., & Wesselmann, E. Subtle discrimination based on gender and gender identity.. Segurança e violências: Perspectivas interdisciplinares [Security and violence: Interdisciplinary perspectives]. (2022)
Wesselmann, E., & Dvir, M. Exploring the overlap among workplace ostracism, mistreatment, and related constructs.. Workplace ostracism: Its nature, antecedents, and consequences. (2021)
Wesselmann, E., & Parris, L. Inclusion, exclusion, and group psychotherapy: The importance of a trauma-informed approach. The psychology of groups: The intersection of social psychology and psychotherapy research. (2020)
Banks, B., Parris, L., & Wesselmann, E. Words can hurt you: Discrimination through nonphysical aggression.. T. Langley & A. Simmons (EDs), Black Panther psychology: Hidden kingdoms. Sterling (2019): 157-171.
Parris, L., Wesselmann, E., Clevenger, S., & Vicary, A. The allure: The therapist who falls.. T. Langley (EDs), The Joker psychology: Evil clowns and the women who love them. Sterling (2019): 220-233.
Parris, L., & Wesselmann, E. Trauma: More than one bad day.. T. Langley (EDs), The Joker psychology: Evil clowns and the women who love them. Sterling (2019): 270-281.
Wesselmann, E., Langley, T., & Hicks, V. Horror: A clown, at midnight.. T. Langley (EDs), The Joker psychology: Evil clowns and the women who love them. Sterling (2019): 56-69.
Wesselmann, E., Michels, C., & Slaughter, A. Understanding common and diverse forms of social exclusion.. S. C. Rudert, R. Greifeneder, & K. D. Williams (EDs), Current directions in ostracism, social exclusion and rejection research. Routledge (2019): 1-17.
Wesselmann, E., & Nairne, J. Natural supernaturalism: Why believe in magic and monsters?. T. Langley & L. S. Zubernis (EDs), Supernatural Psychology: Roads Less Traveled. Sterling (2018): 289-305.
Wesselmann, E., & Jordan, J. Seeing human: When and why do we perceive “Human?”. T. Langley & W. Goodfriend (EDs), Westworld psychology: Violent delights. Sterling (2018): 108-119.
Wesselmann, E., & LaBouff, J. Sympathy for the devil: Examining moral convictions, emotions, and struggles in Daredevil.. T. Langley (EDs), Daredevil psychology: The devil you know. Sterling (2018): 53-63.
Wesselmann, E., Lobato, E., & Jordan, J. Balancing the warrior and the peace ambassador: Self-concepts and moral complexity.. T. Langley & M. Wood (EDs), Wonder Woman psychology: Lassoing the truth. Sterling (2017)
Wesselmann, E., & Jordan, J. The trek through identity.. T. Langley (EDs), Star Trek Psychology: The Mental Frontier. Sterling (2017)
Wesselmann, E., & Jordan, J. Wild heroes: The hard work of being "moral.". T. Langley (EDs), Captain America vs. Iron Man: Freedom, Security, Psychology. Sterling (2016): 111-123.
Jordan, J., & Wesselmann, E. The contextually grounded nature of prosocial behavior: A multi-scale, embodied approach to morality.. Oxford handbook of prosocial behavior. Oxford University Press (2015)
Wesselmann, E., Hales, A., Ren, D., & Williams, K. Ostracism threatens personal security: A temporal need threat framework.. P. Carroll, R. Arkin, & A. Wichman (EDs), Handbook of personal security. Psychology Press (2015)
Wesselmann, E., Williams, K., Ren, D., & Hales, A. Ostracism and solitude.. R. J. Coplan & J. Bowker (EDs), A handbook of solitude: Psychological perspectives on social isolation, social withdrawal, and being alone. Wiley-Blackwell (2014): 224-241.
Wesselmann, E., & Williams, K. Ostracism and stages of coping. C. N. DeWall (EDs), The Oxford handbook of social exclusion. Oxford University Press (2013): 20-30.
Wesselmann, E., & Williams, K. Ostracism in Cyberspace: Being ignored and excluded on the Internet.. Z. Birchmeier, B. Dietz-Uhler, & G. Stasser (EDs), Strategic uses of social technology: An interactive perspective of social psychology. Cambridge University Press (2011): 127-144.
Williams, K., & Wesselmann, E. The link between ostracism and aggression.. J. P. Forgas, A. W. Kruglanski, & K. D. Williams (EDs), The psychology of social conflict and aggression. Psychology Press (2011): 37-51.
Wesselmann, E., Ren, D., & Williams, K. Ostracism and aggression.. B. J. Bushman (EDs), Fronteris of Social Psychology Series: Aggression and Violence. Psychology Press
Wesselmann, E., Grzybowski, M., Steakley-Freeman, D., DeSouza, PhD, E., Nezlek, J., & Williams, K. Social Exclusion in Everyday Life. P. Riva & J. Eck (EDs), Social Exclusion: Psychological Approaches to Understanding and Reducing Its Impact. Springer International Publishing: 3-23.
Wesselmann, E., & Lannin, D. Whistleblowers as portrayed in Media
Encyclopedia
Pryor, J., & Wesselmann, E. Likelihood to Sexually Harass scale.. T. D. Fisher, C. M. Davis, W. L. Yarger, & S. L. Davis (EDs), Handbook of sexually-related measures. Routledge (2010): 328-330.
Williams, K., Chen, Z., & Wesselmann, E. Social compensation. R. F. Baumeister & K. D. Vohs (EDs), Encyclopedia of Social Psychology. Sage 2 (2007): 889-891.
Williams, K., Wesselmann, E., & Chen, Z. Social exclusion. Encyclopedia of Social Psychology. Sage 2 (2007): 896-897.
Journal Article
Clemens, K., Matkovic, J., & Wesselmann, E. Psychosocial Influences on Pain in Transgender Individuals. Laura Case (EDs). Frontiers in Pain Research, section Abdominal and Pelvic Pain 6 (2025)
Clemens, K., Matkovic, J., Odelson, A., Strain, A., & Wesselmann, E. Psychosocial influences on pain in transgender individuals (2025)
Arellanes, J., Miller, K., & Wesselmann, E. A Mixed Methods Investigation into Latino Fathers’ Roles in Their Children’s Educational Expectations. Journal of Latinos and Education (2024): 1-13.
Wesselmann, E., Kahn, J., Arellanes, J., & Thimesch, A. Exploring the motives for watching horror movies: A replication and extension. No. Psychology of Popular Media (2024)
Wesslemann, E., Hesson-McInnis, M., Beck, J., Atkinson, C., & Arellanes, J. Discussing one’s fan interests with others can satisfy or threaten psychological needs. Journal of Fandom Studies 10.2 & 3 (2023): 157-177.
Barelka, A., Bobko, P., & Wesselmann, E. Enhancing the Understanding of Suspicion Development Across Time: Two Studies on Human versus Virtual Teammates, Goal Type, Impulsivity, and Contrast Effects. Behaviour and Information Technology 42.8 (2022): 1253-1269.
Wesselmann, E., & Parris, L. Miscarriage, perceived ostracism, and trauma: A preliminary investigation. Frontiers in Psychology 12 (2022)
McDaniel, B., & Wesselmann, E. “You phubbed me for that?” Reason given for phubbing and perceptions of interaction quality and exclusion.. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies (2021)
McDaniel, B., & Wesselmann, E. “You phubbed me for that?” Reason given for phubbing and perceptions of interactional quality and exclusion. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies 3.3 (2021): 413-422.
Pingani, L., Giberti, S., Coriani, S., Ferrari, S., Fierro, L., Mattei, G., Nasi, A., Pinelli, G., Wesselmann, E., & Galeazzi, G. Translation and validation of an Italian language version of the Religious Beliefs and Mental Illness Stigma scale (I-RBMIS).. Journal of Religion and Health (2021)
Ramsey, A., Jones, E., Wesselmann, E., Jaffe, H., & Hesson-McInnis, M. Being ostracized versus out of the loop: Redundant or unique predictors of variance in workplace outcomes?. Journal of Applied Social Psychology (2021)
Wesselmann, E. Investigating Microaggressions against Transgender Individuals as a Form of Social Exclusion. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (2021)
Wesselmann, E., Dvir, M., Kelly, J., & Pryor, J. The effects of sexual harassment, assault, and objectification on the Self. Self & Identity 20.7 (2021): 841-844.
George, A., Wesselmann, E., Hilgard, J., Young, A., & van Beest, I. The effect of thinking about being excluded by God on well-being: A replication and extension.. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion (2020)
Ren, D., Wesselmann, E., & van Beest, I. Seeking solitude after being ostracized: A replication and beyond.. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (2020)
DeSouza, PhD, E., Wesselmann, E., Taschetto, L., Rosa, G., Rosa, C., Yunes, M., da Silva, G., & Fernandes, G. Investigating Ostracism and Racial Microaggressions toward Afro-Brazilians.. Journal of Black Psychology 45.4 (2019): 222-268.
Hales, A., Dvir, M., Wesselmann, E., Kruger, D., & Finkenauer, C. Cell phone induced ostracism threatens fundamental needs.. The Journal of Social Psychology (2018)
Hayes, R., Wesselmann, E., & Carr, C. When nobody “Likes” you: Perceived ostracism through paralinguistic digital affordances within social media.. Social Media and Society (2018)
Turton, G., Nauta, M., & Wesselmann, E. The Associations of Greek and Religious Organization Participation with College Students’ Social Well-being and Purpose. The Journal of Psychology Interdisciplinary and Applied (2018): 179-198.
Turton, G., Nauta, M., Wesselmann, E., McIntyre, M., & Graziano, W. The associations of Greek and religious organization participation with college students' social well-being and purpose. Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied 152.4 (2018): 179-198.
Tyndall, I., Waldek, D., Riva, P., Wesselmann, E., & Pancani, L. Psychological flexibility and ostracism: Experiential avoidance rather than cognitive fusion moderates distress from perceived ostracism over time.. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (2018)
Wesselmann, E., Ispas, D., Olson, M., Swerdlik, M., & Caudle, N. Does perceived ostracism contribute to mental health concerns among veterans who have been deployed?. PLoS ONE (2018)
Wirth, J., & Wesselmann, E. Investigating how ostracizing others affects one’s self-concept.. Self & Identity (2018)
DeSouza, PhD, E., Wesselmann, E., & Ispas, D. Workplace Discrimination Against Sexual Minorities: Subtle and Not-so-subtle. Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences 34 (2017): 121-132.
Ren, D., Wesselmann, E., & Williams, K. Hurt people hurt people: ostracism and aggression.. Current Opinion in Psychology (2017)
Schneider, K., Wesselmann, E., & DeSouza, PhD, E. Confronting Subtle Workplace Mistreatment: The Importance of Leaders As Allies. Frontiers in Psychology 8 (2017): 4.
Newsletter
Leja, A., & Wesselmann, E. Invisible youth: Understanding ostracism in our schools.. Communique 42.4 (2013): 1, 6.
Other
Wesselmann, E., & Langley, T. Psychosis: The insane brain.. T. Langley (EDs), The Joker psychology: Evil clowns and the women who love them. Sterling (2019): 170-171.
Wesselmann, E. Why so telic?. T. Langley (EDs), The Joker psychology: Evil clowns and the women who love them. Sterling (2019): 111.
Pryor, J., & Wesselmann, E. Stigma magic.. T. Langley & L. S. Zubernis (EDs), Supernatural Psychology: Roads Less Traveled. Sterling (2018): 295.
Wesselmann, E., & LaBouff, J. Are heroes humble?. T. Langley (EDs), Daredevil psychology: The devil you know. Sterling (2018): 87.
Wesselmann, E., & Parris, L. Trauma and survivor guilt.. T. Langley (EDs), Daredevil psychology: The devil you know. Sterling (2018): 59.
Wesselmann, E., & Wirth, J. Investigating how individuals feel ostracizing others.. The Journal of Social Psychology 155.5 (2015)
Presentations
Cultivating Student Belonging and Success through a Collectivist Campus Community. University-Wide Teaching & Learning Symposium. Illinois State University. (2023)
Miscarriage, perceived ostracism, and trauma in mothers and fathers.. Midwestern Psychological Association. (2023)
Investigating Ostracism and Racial Microaggressions toward Afro-Brazilians. Midwestern Psychological Association. Midwestern Psychological Association. (2020)
*Wesselmann, E. D., DeSouza, E. R., & AuBuchon, S. (2020, May). Studying microaggressions as a form of social exclusion. Presentation at the meeting for the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL. (Conference canceled)
Jordan, J. S., Carpenter, S., Dandridge, V., Hintz, V., Kim, D. J., & Wesselmann, E. D. (2020, March). Wakanda forever! The psychology of Black Panther. Panel presentation at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, Chicago, IL.
Jordan, J. S., Carpenter, S., Dandridge, V., Hintz, V., Kim, D. J., & Wesselmann, E. D. (2020, March). Wakanda forever! The psychology of Black Panther. Panel presentation at ConFromHome. https://confromhome.com/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBzMPUYJZC4&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR2s0OZyamvVmPPVcroqRnZfN2wxwoY273STmzxvNrgUoax9hIe-5PHDGZU
Myers, J., Daluga, M., Wesselmann, E. D., Parris, L., & Swerdlik, M. (2020, April). Social support, perceived ostracism, and posttraumatic stress symptoms among veterans. Poster at the meeting for the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL. (Conference canceled)
Pederson, T., Atkinson, C., Daluga, M., Bajaczyk, A., & Wesselmann, E. D. (2020, April). When does having one’s fan interests ignored threaten psychological needs? Poster at the meeting for the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL. (Conference canceled)
Sparks, Z., Wesselmann, E. D., Sacco, D., & Wirth, J. H. (2020, April). The Goldilocks’ effect: Determining when eye contact is not too much or not too little. Poster at the meeting for the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL. (Conference canceled)
Wesselmann, E. D. (2020, April). Discussing one’s fan interests can satisfy or threaten psychological needs. Presentation at the meeting for the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL. (Conference canceled)
Wesselmann, E. D. (2020, Fall). Contextualizing and reassessing claims about slasher films, gender, and morality. Presentation at the Wayne State University Pop Culture Conference, Detroit, MI. (Conference being rescheduled)
Wesselmann, E. D. (2020, Fall). Using Marvel’s Civil War stories to discuss freedom, security, and moral decision-making. Presentation at the Wayne State University Pop Culture Conference Detroit, MI. (Conference being rescheduled)
Wesselmann, E. D. (organizer). (2020, April). Fandom: Fulfilling psychological needs and a sense of identity. Symposium at the meeting for the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL. (Conference canceled)
Investigating microaggression themes that transgender individuals experience. Midwestern Psychological Association. (2019)
Microaggressions against Transgender Individuals as a Form of Social Exclusion. Midwestern Psychological Association. (2019)
Racial microaggressions among Afro-Brazilians. Midwestern Psychological Association. (2019)
Jordan, J. S., & Wesselmann, E. D. (2019, April). Myths gone wild: Why we need stories like American Gods, Game of Thrones, Supernatural, Wonder Woman, Daredevil, Black Panther, and others! Panel presentation at Quad Con, Peoria, IL.
Jordan, J. S., & Wesselmann, E. D. (2019, April). Trekkies, Bronies, and Otaku – Oh my! Fandom under a microscope. Panel presentation at Quad Con, Peoria, IL.
Jordan, J. S., Langley, T., McGregor, D., Maberry, J., Priest, C., Wesselmann, E. D., & Simmons, A. (2019, July). Who is the Black Panther? Black Panther, Wakanda, and the transformative power of comic books. Panel presentation at the Comics Arts Conference, San Diego, CA.
Jordan, J. S., Wesselmann, E. D., & Schmidt, K. (2019, September). Black Panther psychology: The hidden kingdoms of assumption. Panel discussion at Saluki Con, Carbondale, IL.
Jordan, J. S., Wesselmann, E. D., Moore, B., & Schmidt, K. (2019, September). The Psych Geeks know what scares you! Panel discussion at Saluki Con, Carbondale, IL.
Langley, T., Clevenger, S., Jordan, J. S., Kim, D. J., Moshe, Y., & Wesselmann, E. D. (2019, August). Broken superheroes? Inside the minds of Spider-Man, Batman, Jessica Jones, Deadpool, the Umbrella Academy, and more! Panel discussion at Wizard World Chicago Comic Convention, Rosemont, IL.
Langley, T., Jordan, J. S., Lloyd, M., Moshe, Y., Potts, C., & Wesselmann, E. D. (2019, August). Who can kill the Boogeyman? Panel discussion at Wizard World Chicago Comic Convention, Rosemont, IL.
Wesselmann, E. D. & Jordan, J. S. (2019, October). Why do we like to be scared? Panel presentation at Quad Con, Peoria, IL.
Wesselmann, E. D. & Jordan, J. S. (2019, October). Analyzing The Joker. Panel presentation at Quad Con, Peoria, IL.