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Jennifer Whitson is an associate professor in the Management Organizations area at UCLA Anderson School of Management. Before joining Anderson, she served as an assistant professor at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research broadly focuses on the psychological experience of lack of control, exploring how individuals make sense of the world when they feel powerless. Whitson’s work establishes a critical connection between the lack of control and illusory pattern perception, illustrating how people perceive non-existent patterns to create a sense of order. Her studies reveal how these perceptions can lead to belief in conspiracy theories and superstitions, as individuals seek structure in chaotic environments. The implications of her research extend to the management domain, shedding light on how leaders exercise power and the business costs associated with their controlling behaviors. Her work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals and has attracted international media attention, having been featured on platforms such as CBS Morning News and National Public Radio. Her teachings encompass Organizational Behavior, Leadership, and Negotiations.
UCLA Anderson School of Management • Los Angeles, CA, US
Teaching and conducting research in the area of Management Organizations.
McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin • Austin, TX, US
Focused on research and teaching related to management and organizational behavior.
Department of Economics admits primarily for the PhD program.