University of Northern Iowa · Department of Psychology

Research & Publications

My research examines social and workpalce ostracism and exlcusion, workplace harassment, intergroup relations, and the biopsychosocial consequences of such experiences. Below you will find peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, edited volumes, grants, and works currently in progress.

Research Areas

Social Exclusion & Ostracism

Investigating the antecedents, consequences, and interventions related to being excluded from social groups, with a focus on psychological need-threat, health outcomes, and behavioral responses.

Workplace Harassment & Discrimination

Examining sexual harassment, gender harassment, ethnic harassment, and language-based exclusion in organizational settings, including bystander effects and dual-harassment experiences.

Intergroup Relations & Prejudice

Studying attitudes toward immigrant groups, linguistic ostracism, cultural threat, and the role of social identity in shaping intergroup conflict and cooperation.

Psychoneuroendocrinology

Exploring biological underpinnings of social behavior, including the roles of testosterone and cortisol in responses to exclusion, group interactions, and social dominance.

Psychoneuroendocrinology Lab

Salivary biomarker measurement — cortisol, testosterone, CRP, IL-6, and more.

Visit the PNE Lab

Publications

1
Hitlan, R. T., Dobersek, U., Pettijohn, T. F. III, McCutcheon, L., Locker, L., & Williams, J. (2026). The Dark Triad, Emotional Regulation, and Celebrity Admiration. Current Psychology.
2
Hitlan, R. T. (2026). Sexual and Bystander Harassment Among Part-Time Employees: Effects on Work Attitudes, Stress, and Withdrawal. Behavioral Sciences, 16(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16010017
3
Hitlan, R. T., Shabahang, R., McCutcheon, L., Aruguete, M., Wolfe, W., & Rivardo, M. (2023). Negative Judgements about Beautiful Women's Sex Lives and Self-esteem. North American Journal of Psychology, 25, 305–320.
4
Hitlan, R. T., McCutcheon, L. E., Volungis, A., Joshi, A., Clark, C. B., & Pena, M. (2021). Social desirability and the celebrity attitude scale. North American Journal of Psychology, 23, 105–114.
5
Hitlan, R. T. (2020). Social exclusion and health: The buffering effects of perceived social support. North American Journal of Psychology, 22, 309–330.
6
DeSoto, M. C. & Hitlan, R. T. (2015). Can Dual Hormones Ever Duel? Neuroendocrine Interactions During Social Exclusion. North American Journal of Psychology, 17, 555–574.
7
Hitlan, R. T., Zarate, M. A., Kelly, K., & DeSoto, M. C. (2015). Linguistic ostracism causes prejudice: Support for a serial mediation effect. Journal of Social Psychology, 1–15.
8
DeSoto, M. C., & Hitlan, R. T. (2013). Professional opinion on the question of changes in autism incidence. Open Journal of Psychiatry, 3.
9
DeSoto, M. C., & Hitlan, R. T. (2012). Fish consumption advisories and the surprising relationship to prevalence rate of developmental disability as reported by public schools. Journal of Environmental Protection, 1579–1589.
10
DeSoto, M. C., & Hitlan, R. T. (2012). Synthetic folic acid supplementation during pregnancy may increase risk of developing autism. Journal of Pediatric Biochemistry, 2, 251–261.
11
DeSoto, M. C., Hitlan, R. T., Deol, R. S., & McAdams, D. (2010). Testosterone fluctuations in young men: The difference between interacting with like and not-like others. Evolutionary Psychology, 8, 173–178.
12
DeSoto, M. C., & Hitlan, R. T. (2010). Sorting out the spinning of autism: Heavy metals and the question of incidence. Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis, 70, 165–176.
13
Hitlan, R. T., & Noel, J. M. (2009). The Influence of Workplace Exclusion and Personality on Counterproductive Workplace Behaviors: An Interactionist Perspective. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 18, 477–502.
14
Hitlan, R. T., Pryor, J. B., Hesson-McInnis, M. S., & Olson, M. (2009). Antecedents to gender harassment: An analysis of person and situation factors. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research.
15
DeSoto, M. C. & Hitlan, R. T. (2008). Concerning blood mercury levels: A need to clarify. Journal of Child Neurology, 23, 463–465.
16
DeSoto, M. C., & Hitlan, R. T. (2007). Blood levels of mercury are related to diagnosis of autism: A reanalysis of an important data set. Journal of Child Neurology, 22, 1321–1323.
17
Walsh, B. M., & Hitlan, R. T. (2007). Organizational stress: Investigating the impact of dual harassment experiences on appraisal and outcomes. North American Journal of Psychology, 9, 331–346.
18
Hitlan, R. T., Carrillo, K., Aikman, S. N., & Zarate, M. A. (2007). Attitudes toward immigrant groups and the effects of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 13, 1–18.
19
Hitlan, R. T., Schneider, K. T., & Walsh, B. (2006). Upsetting behavior: Reactions to personal and bystander sexual harassment experiences. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 55, 187–195.
20
Hitlan, R. T., Cliffton, R. J., & DeSoto, M. C. (2006). Perceived Exclusion in the Workplace: The Moderating Effects of Gender on Work-Related Attitudes and Psychological Health. North American Journal of Psychology, 8, 217–236.
21
Hitlan, R. T., Kelly, K., Schepman, S., Schneider, K. T., & Zarate, M. A. (2006). Language Exclusion and the Consequences of Perceived Ostracism in the Workplace. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 10, 56–70.
22
Zarate, M. A., Garcia, B., Garza, A. A., & Hitlan, R. T. (2004). Cultural threat and perceived realistic group conflict as predictors of attitudes towards Mexican immigrants. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 40, 99–105.
23
Schneider, K. T., Hitlan, R. T., & Radhakrishnan, P. (2000). An examination of the nature and correlates of ethnic harassment experiences in multiple contexts. Journal of Applied Psychology, 85(1), 3–12.