Texas Tech University

People

Zachary Hohman

My research investigates the intersection of two broad domains of social psychology: 1) group processes and intergroup relations, and 2) attitudes and persuasion. Within these domains, I investigate how social groups influence people's self-conception, attitudes, physiology, and biology as they relate to health behaviors. The goal of my research is to integrate basic cognitive processes into social interactive processes, societal processes, individual processes, and internal processes that explain group and individual health behavior.

Zachary Hohman Headshot 2015 SITH Lab

Within the group process and intergroup relations domain, I am interested in how group-level constructs are organized in, and influence the development of, people's self-concept. For example, for one part of my research program, I investigate the motivational underpinnings of group identification – e.g., why thoughts of death motivate people to identify with a group. Across six experiments and three publications, I have demonstrated that thinking about death leads to group identification (and various health outcomes associated with group identification) because of the uncertainty surrounding death (as predicted from uncertainty-identity theory) rather than the terror surrounding death (as predicted by terror management theory).

For attitudes and persuasion, I am interested in how group-level phenomena impact people's attitude development, attitude change, and behavior. For example, I have investigated how attitude ambivalence and social norms interact to predict health-related behavioral intentions and future behaviors. Across three experiments I have been able to demonstrate that when people are attitudinally ambivalent about a health-related topic (adolescent marijuana use in one study and college-aged tobacco use in another) they look to the group (and the norms of that group) in order to know what to think (what their attitude should be) and how to behave.

Graduate Students

An Le

I am a second-year graduate student in the SITH lab. I completed my Master's degree in Experimental Psychology at Western Illinois University and my Bachelor's degree in International Business at Foreign Trade University in Vietnam. Generally, I am interested in the self: how people perceive themselves and how their self-perceptions influence their thinking and behaviors. Currently, my research focuses on the link between self-uncertainty and extremism. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, exploring new places, and trying and cooking new cuisines.


Olivia Kuljian

Ashley Worley

I am a third-year graduate student in the SITH Lab. I received my Bachelor's degree in Psychology from The University of Kansas. My research interests include social identity and predictors of intergroup relations such as intergroup emotions, intergroup threat, and uncertainty. I am also interested in the content and implications of stereotypes and prejudice and political psychology. I enjoy traveling, having a good cup of coffee, watching sporting events, and spending time with my two kids.


Olivia Kuljian

Burch Carter

I am a third-year graduate student in the SITH Lab. I received my Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Neuroscience from The University of Texas at Dallas.  My research currently focuses on attitudes and attitude change. I am also interested in social identity, and the impact of status, social influence, and social change on intergroup and intragroup relationships. In my free time, I enjoy reading and watching television/movies. 


Burch Carter 2021

Lab Alumni

Olivia Kuljian

Olivia is an Assistant Professor at Eastern Oregon University. Olivia's research focuses include social identity, uncertainty, intergroup relations, dehumanization, leadership, and prototypicality.

Josh Brown

Josh is a Post-doc at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. JOsh was raised 40 miles south of Salt Lake City and earned my Bachelor's Degree at Utah Valley University. Josh is interested in the causes and consequences of uncertainty, intergroup processes, and political identification.

Elizabeth Niedbala

Elizabeth is currently a research fellow for the military. She is an experienced social and behavioral scientist who is passionate about serving the public by conducting high-quality research. She is skilled with experimental and survey methodology and statistical analysis. Her research focuses on group members' behavioral, attitudinal, and physiological reactions to complex situations including aversive emotions, uncertainty, risk, pain, and stress.

Ethan Dahl

Ethan is currently an Assistant Professor at North Dakota State University. His work involves research and program evaluation. He is interested in applying his training in the SITH lab to understanding how individuals with disabilities construct their social identity. He hopes to use this information to create more inclusive communities that foster positive social identities for individuals with disabilities.