I study the ways in which perceptions
of uncertainty and threat can affect group communication processes, including
opinion expression and social influence. In my dissertation, I examine the
relationship between self-relevant uncertainty and people's tendencies
to express, or be persuaded by, minority (dissenting) viewpoints. In a second
area of research, I study the factors that lead individuals to change their
attitudes and self-judgments based on externally primed constructs (e.g.,
traits, goals, stereotypes). In a third area of research, I study the
consequences of intergroup threat for political attitudes. Specifically, I am
interested in when perceived threat will and will not increase group members'
support for social inequality.
Morrison, K. R., & Miller, D. T. (2008). Distinguishing between silent and
vocal minorities: Not all deviants feel marginal. Journal of Personality and
Social Psychology, 94,
871-882. Download
Morrison, K. R., Wheeler, S. C., & Smeesters, D. (2007).
Significant other primes and behavior: Motivation to respond to social cues moderates pursuit of prime-induced goals.
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 33, 1661-1674.
Morrison, K. R., & Ybarra, O. (2008). The effects of
realistic threat and group identification on social dominance orientation.
Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 44,
156-163. Download
Wheeler, S. C., Morrison, K. R., DeMarree, K. G., & Petty, R. E. (2008). Does self-consciousness increase or decrease priming effects? It
depends. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 44,
882-889. Download