Kipling D. Williams, PhD., Purdue University
From Frank Lloyd Rat to Ostracism: An Unorthodox Career Path
My interest in psychological research began with an exceptionally bright (or perhaps non-naive) rat, and is nearing its end with a deep dive into the causes and consequences of ostracism. The rat research got me into Ohio State, and my initial interest in ostracism occurred while I was at Ohio State. Along the way, I worked on several other topics, including social loafing, stealing thunder, and various other phenomena related to psychology and law. All have their roots from my Ohio State experience. Mostly, I feel indebted to the social psychology faculty at Ohio State during my graduate school days, the post-docs, some returning alums, and graduate students who were my role models, collaborators, and lifelong friends. I made some weird career choices along the way, but somehow was able to live the great life of a research-oriented academic.