Dr. Erin Westgate, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Social Psychology, researching boredom, interest, and thinking (and why we're so bad at it)
Research Expertise
About
Publications
Estimating the reproducibility of psychological science
Science / Aug 28, 2015
(2015). Estimating the reproducibility of psychological science. Science, 349(6251). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aac4716
Just think: The challenges of the disengaged mind
Science / Jul 04, 2014
Wilson, T. D., Reinhard, D. A., Westgate, E. C., Gilbert, D. T., Ellerbeck, N., Hahn, C., Brown, C. L., & Shaked, A. (2014). Just think: The challenges of the disengaged mind. Science, 345(6192), 75–77. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1250830
Boring thoughts and bored minds: The MAC model of boredom and cognitive engagement.
Psychological Review / Oct 01, 2018
Westgate, E. C., & Wilson, T. D. (2018). Boring thoughts and bored minds: The MAC model of boredom and cognitive engagement. Psychological Review, 125(5), 689–713. https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000097
I drink therefore I am: Validating alcohol-related implicit association tests.
Psychology of Addictive Behaviors / Mar 01, 2013
Lindgren, K. P., Neighbors, C., Teachman, B. A., Wiers, R. W., Westgate, E., & Greenwald, A. G. (2013). I drink therefore I am: Validating alcohol-related implicit association tests. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 27(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027640
Understanding The Consumer Behaviour During COVID-19 Pandemic
Jan 01, 2021
Gülmez, M. (Ed.). (2021). Understanding The Consumer Behaviour During COVID-19 Pandemic. https://doi.org/10.37609/akya.1670
LF-copying without LF
Lingua / Oct 01, 2015
Kobele, G. M. (2015). LF-copying without LF. Lingua, 166, 236–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lingua.2014.08.006
Correction to Supporting Information for Psychological Science Accelerator Self-Determination Theory Collaboration, A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences / Aug 30, 2022
Correction to Supporting Information for Psychological Science Accelerator Self-Determination Theory Collaboration, A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2022). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119(36). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2213828119
Observers penalize decision makers whose risk preferences are unaffected by loss–gain framing.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: General / Sep 01, 2022
Dorison, C. A., & Heller, B. H. (2022). Observers penalize decision makers whose risk preferences are unaffected by loss–gain framing. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 151(9), 2043–2059. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001187
Pandemic boredom: Little evidence that lockdown-related boredom affects risky public health behaviors across 116 countries
May 11, 2021
Westgate, E. C., Buttrick, N., Lin, Y., El Helou, G., Agostini, M., Belanger, J., Gutzkow, B., Kreienkamp, J., Abakoumkin, G., Khaiyom, J. H. B. A., Ahmedi, V., Akkas, H., Almenara, C. A., Atta, M., B, S. C., Basel, S., Kida, E. B., BERNARDO, A. B. I., Chobthamkit, P., … Damnjanović, K. (2021). Pandemic boredom: Little evidence that lockdown-related boredom affects risky public health behaviors across 116 countries. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/78kma
The Origins of Boredom
Mar 19, 2021
Lin, Y., & Westgate, E. C. (2021). The Origins of Boredom. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/bz6n8
Art, Music, and Literature: Do the Humanities Make Our Lives Richer, Happier, and More Meaningful?
The Oxford Handbook of the Positive Humanities / Jan 13, 2022
Westgate, E. C., & Oishi, S. (2022). Art, Music, and Literature: Do the Humanities Make Our Lives Richer, Happier, and More Meaningful? The Oxford Handbook of the Positive Humanities, 84–96. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190064570.013.1
Stereotype Threat in Black College Students Across Many Operationalizations
Jul 17, 2019
Forscher, P. S., Taylor, V. J., Cavagnaro, D., Lewis, N. A., Buchanan, E. M., Moshontz, H., Mark, A. Y., Appleby, S., Batres, C., Bennett-Day, B., Chopik, W. J., Damian, R. I., Ellis, C. E., Faas, C., Gaither, S., Green, D. J.-A., Hall, B. F., Hinojosa, B. M., Howell, J. L., … Chartier, C. R. (2019). Stereotype Threat in Black College Students Across Many Operationalizations. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/6hju9
I enjoy hurting my classmates: On the relation of boredom and sadism in schools
Journal of School Psychology / Feb 01, 2023
Pfattheicher, S., Lazarević, L. B., Nielsen, Y. A., Westgate, E. C., Krstić, K., & Schindler, S. (2023). I enjoy hurting my classmates: On the relation of boredom and sadism in schools. Journal of School Psychology, 96, 41–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2022.10.008
19. FEAR OF UNFULFILLED DESIRES
Happiness and Goodness / Jan 31, 2015
19. FEAR OF UNFULFILLED DESIRES. (2015). Happiness and Goodness. https://doi.org/10.7312/cahn17240-020
PSACR: The Psychological Science Accelerator's COVID-19 Rapid-Response Project
Apr 16, 2020
Forscher, P. S., Paris, B., Primbs, M., & Coles, N. A. (2020). PSACR: The Psychological Science Accelerator’s COVID-19 Rapid-Response Project. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/x976j
Are We Bored Yet? A Lifespan Perspective on the MAC Model of Boredom and Cognitive Engagement
Apr 11, 2019
Westgate, E. C. (2019). Are We Bored Yet? A Lifespan Perspective on the MAC Model of Boredom and Cognitive Engagement. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/4h6et
From electric shocks to the electoral college: How boredom steers moral behavior
Feb 03, 2021
Yucel, M., & Westgate, E. C. (2021). From electric shocks to the electoral college: How boredom steers moral behavior. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/frcw9
What to do with our days Out of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom James Danckert and John D. Eastwood Harvard University Press, 2020. 288 pp.
Science / Jun 19, 2020
Westgate, E. (2020). What to do with our days Out of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom James Danckert and John D. Eastwood Harvard University Press, 2020. 288 pp. Science, 368(6497), 1321–1321. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abc1024
By Choice or By Chance? Intentional Reverie is Real but Rare
Apr 26, 2018
Westgate, E. C. (2018). By Choice or By Chance? Intentional Reverie is Real but Rare. https://doi.org/10.31237/osf.io/vk6rm
Alcohol Does Not Increase Slow Wave Sleep
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research / Feb 10, 2012
Pressman, M. R. (2012). Alcohol Does Not Increase Slow Wave Sleep. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 36(8), 1474–1474. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2012.01746.x
A Rocky Issue: The Effects of Humor on Learning and Interest in an Educational Context
Apr 26, 2018
Westgate, E. C. (2018). A Rocky Issue: The Effects of Humor on Learning and Interest in an Educational Context. https://doi.org/10.31237/osf.io/c9rez
Reading Literary Fiction Is Associated With a More Complex Worldview
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin / Jul 07, 2022
Buttrick, N., Westgate, E. C., & Oishi, S. (2022). Reading Literary Fiction Is Associated With a More Complex Worldview. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 49(9), 1408–1420. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672221106059
A little help from my friends: Lack of social interaction predicts greater boredom during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Social and Personality Psychology Compass / Aug 28, 2023
Lin, Y., LePine, S. E., Krause, A. N., & Westgate, E. C. (2023). A little help from my friends: Lack of social interaction predicts greater boredom during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Social and Personality Psychology Compass. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12871
A little help from my friends: Lack of social interaction predicts greater boredom during the COVID-19 pandemic
Aug 02, 2023
Lin, Y., LePine, S., Krause, A. N., & Westgate, E. C. (2023). A little help from my friends: Lack of social interaction predicts greater boredom during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/8gh6v
Pandemic boredom: Little evidence that lockdown-related boredom affects risky public health behaviors across 116 countries.
Emotion / Mar 13, 2023
Westgate, E. C., Buttrick, N. R., Lin, Y., El Helou, G., Agostini, M., Bélanger, J. J., Gützkow, B., Kreienkamp, J., Abakoumkin, G., Abdul Khaiyom, J. H., Ahmedi, V., Akkas, H., Almenara, C. A., Atta, M., Bagci, S. C., Basel, S., Berisha Kida, E., Bernardo, A. B. I., Chobthamkit, P., … et al. (2023). Pandemic boredom: Little evidence that lockdown-related boredom affects risky public health behaviors across 116 countries. Emotion. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0001118
Cognitive mechanisms underlying subjective value of past and future events: Modeling systematic reversals of temporal value asymmetry.
Decision / Jan 01, 2023
Kvam, P. D., Baldwin, M., & Westgate, E. C. (2023). Cognitive mechanisms underlying subjective value of past and future events: Modeling systematic reversals of temporal value asymmetry. Decision, 10(1), 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1037/dec0000181
What Underlies the Opposition to Trans-Inclusive Policies? The Role of Concerns About Male Violence Versus Attitudes Toward Trans People
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin / Dec 13, 2022
Morgenroth, T., Axt, J. R., & Westgate, E. C. (2022). What Underlies the Opposition to Trans-Inclusive Policies? The Role of Concerns About Male Violence Versus Attitudes Toward Trans People. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 014616722211372. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672221137201
A psychologically rich life: Beyond happiness and meaning.
Psychological Review / Jul 01, 2022
Oishi, S., & Westgate, E. C. (2022). A psychologically rich life: Beyond happiness and meaning. Psychological Review, 129(4), 790–811. https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000317
A trade-off model of intentional thinking for pleasure.
Emotion / Feb 01, 2022
Raza, S., Westgate, E. C., Buttrick, N. R., Heintzelman, S. J., Furrer, R. A., Gilbert, D. T., Libby, L. K., & Wilson, T. D. (2022). A trade-off model of intentional thinking for pleasure. Emotion, 22(1), 115–128. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0001029
On the relation of boredom and sadistic aggression.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology / Sep 01, 2021
Pfattheicher, S., Lazarević, L. B., Westgate, E. C., & Schindler, S. (2021). On the relation of boredom and sadistic aggression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 121(3), 573–600. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000335
What makes thinking for pleasure pleasurable?
Emotion / Aug 01, 2021
Westgate, E. C., Wilson, T. D., Buttrick, N. R., Furrer, R. A., & Gilbert, D. T. (2021). What makes thinking for pleasure pleasurable? Emotion, 21(5), 981–989. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000941
I enjoy hurting my classmates: On the relation of boredom and sadism in schools
Apr 19, 2021
Pfattheicher, S., Lazarevic, L., Nielsen, Y. A., Westgate, E. C., Krstic, K., & Schindler, S. (2021). I enjoy hurting my classmates: On the relation of boredom and sadism in schools. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/37ru9
What Makes Thinking for Pleasure Pleasurable?
Oct 01, 2020
Westgate, E. C., Wilson, T. D., Buttrick, N., & Furrer, R. (2020). What Makes Thinking for Pleasure Pleasurable? https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/2emk9
Lost by definition: Why boredom matters for psychology and society
Social and Personality Psychology Compass / Oct 24, 2020
Westgate, E. C., & Steidle, B. (2020). Lost by definition: Why boredom matters for psychology and society. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 14(11). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12562
Implicit Transgender Attitudes Independently Predict Beliefs About Gender and Transgender People
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin / Jul 01, 2020
Axt, J. R., Conway, M. A., Westgate, E. C., & Buttrick, N. R. (2020). Implicit Transgender Attitudes Independently Predict Beliefs About Gender and Transgender People. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 47(2), 257–274. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167220921065
Happiness, Meaning, and Psychological Richness
Affective Science / Jun 01, 2020
Oishi, S., Choi, H., Koo, M., Galinha, I., Ishii, K., Komiya, A., Luhmann, M., Scollon, C., Shin, J., Lee, H., Suh, E. M., Vittersø, J., Heintzelman, S. J., Kushlev, K., Westgate, E. C., Buttrick, N., Tucker, J., Ebersole, C. R., Axt, J., … Besser, L. L. (2020). Happiness, Meaning, and Psychological Richness. Affective Science, 1(2), 107–115. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42761-020-00011-z
Art, music, and literature: Do the humanities make our lives richer, happier, and more meaningful?
Apr 25, 2020
Westgate, E. C. (2020). Art, music, and literature: Do the humanities make our lives richer, happier, and more meaningful? https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/gsnzm
Why Boredom Is Interesting
Current Directions in Psychological Science / Nov 08, 2019
Westgate, E. C. (2019). Why Boredom Is Interesting. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 29(1), 33–40. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721419884309
The psychologically rich life questionnaire
Journal of Research in Personality / Aug 01, 2019
Oishi, S., Choi, H., Buttrick, N., Heintzelman, S. J., Kushlev, K., Westgate, E. C., Tucker, J., Ebersole, C. R., Axt, J., Gilbert, E., Ng, B. W., & Besser, L. L. (2019). The psychologically rich life questionnaire. Journal of Research in Personality, 81, 257–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2019.06.010
The mind is its own place: The difficulties and benefits of thinking for pleasure
Advances in Experimental Social Psychology / Jan 01, 2019
Wilson, T. D., Westgate, E. C., Buttrick, N. R., & Gilbert, D. T. (2019). The mind is its own place: The difficulties and benefits of thinking for pleasure. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 175–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.aesp.2019.05.001
You can do it if you really try: The effects of motivation on thinking for pleasure
Motivation and Emotion / Jul 26, 2017
Alahmadi, S., Buttrick, N. R., Gilbert, D. T., Hardin, A. M., Westgate, E. C., & Wilson, T. D. (2017). You can do it if you really try: The effects of motivation on thinking for pleasure. Motivation and Emotion, 41(5), 545–561. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-017-9625-7
With a little help for our thoughts: Making it easier to think for pleasure.
Emotion / Aug 01, 2017
Westgate, E. C., Wilson, T. D., & Gilbert, D. T. (2017). With a little help for our thoughts: Making it easier to think for pleasure. Emotion, 17(5), 828–839. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000278
Productive procrastination: academic procrastination style predicts academic and alcohol outcomes
Journal of Applied Social Psychology / Nov 21, 2016
Westgate, E. C., Wormington, S. V., Oleson, K. C., & Lindgren, K. P. (2016). Productive procrastination: academic procrastination style predicts academic and alcohol outcomes. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 47(3), 124–135. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/jasp.12417
Can a Naturally Occurring Pathogen Threat Change Social Attitudes? Evaluations of Gay Men and Lesbians During the 2014 Ebola Epidemic
Social Psychological and Personality Science / Mar 22, 2016
Inbar, Y., Westgate, E. C., Pizarro, D. A., & Nosek, B. A. (2016). Can a Naturally Occurring Pathogen Threat Change Social Attitudes? Evaluations of Gay Men and Lesbians During the 2014 Ebola Epidemic. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 7(5), 420–427. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550616639651
Identity, influence, and intervention: The roles of social media in alcohol use
Current Opinion in Psychology / Jun 01, 2016
Westgate, E. C., & Holliday, J. (2016). Identity, influence, and intervention: The roles of social media in alcohol use. Current Opinion in Psychology, 9, 27–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.10.014
Attempted Training of Alcohol Approach and Drinking Identity Associations in US Undergraduate Drinkers: Null Results from Two Studies
PLOS ONE / Aug 04, 2015
Lindgren, K. P., Wiers, R. W., Teachman, B. A., Gasser, M. L., Westgate, E. C., Cousijn, J., Enkema, M. C., & Neighbors, C. (2015). Attempted Training of Alcohol Approach and Drinking Identity Associations in US Undergraduate Drinkers: Null Results from Two Studies. PLOS ONE, 10(8), e0134642. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0134642
Implicit Preferences for Straight People over Lesbian Women and Gay Men Weakened from 2006 to 2013
Collabra / Jan 01, 2015
Westgate, E. C., Riskind, R. G., & Nosek, B. A. (2015). Implicit Preferences for Straight People over Lesbian Women and Gay Men Weakened from 2006 to 2013. Collabra, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1525/collabra.18
Would you fund this movie? A reply to Fox et al. (2014)
Frontiers in Psychology / Dec 09, 2014
Wilson, T. D., Gilbert, D. T., Reinhard, D. A., Westgate, E. C., & Brown, C. L. (2014). Would you fund this movie? A reply to Fox et al. (2014). Frontiers in Psychology, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01428
“I Will Take a Shot for Every ‘Like’ I Get on This Status”: Posting Alcohol-Related Facebook Content Is Linked to Drinking Outcomes
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs / May 01, 2014
Westgate, E. C., Neighbors, C., Heppner, H., Jahn, S., & Lindgren, K. P. (2014). “I Will Take a Shot for Every ‘Like’ I Get on This Status”: Posting Alcohol-Related Facebook Content Is Linked to Drinking Outcomes. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 75(3), 390–398. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2014.75.390
Self-Control and Implicit Drinking Identity as Predictors of Alcohol Consumption, Problems, and Cravings
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs / Mar 01, 2014
Lindgren, K. P., Neighbors, C., Westgate, E., & Salemink, E. (2014). Self-Control and Implicit Drinking Identity as Predictors of Alcohol Consumption, Problems, and Cravings. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 75(2), 290–298. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2014.75.290
Implicit drinking identity: Drinker+me associations predict college student drinking consistently
Addictive Behaviors / May 01, 2013
Lindgren, K. P., Foster, D. W., Westgate, E. C., & Neighbors, C. (2013). Implicit drinking identity: Drinker+me associations predict college student drinking consistently. Addictive Behaviors, 38(5), 2163–2166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.01.026
Pick your poison: Stimuli selection in alcohol-related implicit measures
Addictive Behaviors / Aug 01, 2012
Lindgren, K. P., Westgate, E. C., Kilmer, J. R., Kaysen, D., & Teachman, B. A. (2012). Pick your poison: Stimuli selection in alcohol-related implicit measures. Addictive Behaviors, 37(8), 990–993. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2012.03.024
Implicit transgender attitudes independently predict beliefs about gender and transgender people
Apr 03, 2020
Axt, J., Conway, M. A., Westgate, E. C., & Buttrick, N. (2020). Implicit transgender attitudes independently predict beliefs about gender and transgender people. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/wjts3
Education
University of Virginia
Ph.D., Psychology
Reed College
B.A., Psychology / May, 2010
Experience
University of Florida
Assistant Professor / 2019 — Present
The Ohio State University
Postdoctoral Researcher / 2018 — 2019
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