Jennifer Whitson

Jennifer Whitson is an associate professor of management and organizations at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Her research focuses on control, illusory pattern perception, power, and stigma. Whitson explores how individuals react to a lack of control and how this influences their behavior and perceptions. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and has been featured in media outlets such as CBS Morning News and National Geographic’s Brain Games. Prior to joining UCLA, she was an assistant professor at the McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin. Her work examines the psychological and organizational implications of control and its impact on human behavior.

Jennifer A. Whitson is an Associate Professor of Management & Organizations at UCLA Anderson School of Management. Her research explores how individuals and organizations navigate power dynamics, control, and sensemaking in complex environments. Whitson's work investigates how power influences behavior, creativity, and conformity, as well as how illusory pattern perception arises in response to uncertainty and lack of control. Her studies also examine the emotional and cognitive roots of conspiratorial thinking, the role of personal control in shaping beliefs, and the impact of social identity on organizational behavior. Her research has significant implications for understanding human perception, organizational dynamics, and social movements.