My research investigates how people perceive and respond to social inequity, with a particular focus on allyship and privilege. Integrating social psychology, organizational behavior, and cross-cultural research, I examine the emotional and cognitive processes that shape individuals’ willingness to challenge injustice, their interpretations of social privileges, and the dynamics of identity and power in workplace and societal contexts.
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In my main line of work, I study how people leverage their own power and privilege to increase social equity in their organizations. I do this by examining the antecedents and consequences of allyship, the efforts of those who actively work for equity for marginalized groups, not as a member of that group but in solidarity with its struggle. I explore how emotions and cognitions shape ally behavior in organizations
Relevant Publications:
Foster-Gimbel, O. A., Pillemer, J., & Phillips, L. T. (2025). Authentic Allyship: Feeling authentic increases allyship behavior via greater psychological standing. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001854
Foster-Gimbel, O. A. & Phillips, L. T. (2025). The curvilinear effect of psychological discomfort on allyship. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672241312269
Jun, S., Phillips, L. T., & Foster-Gimbel, O. A. (2023). The Missing Middle: Asian employees’ experience of workplace discrimination and pro-Black allyship. Journal of Applied Psychology, 108(2), 225-248. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0001068
Foster-Gimbel, O. A. & Phillips, L.T. A qualitative exploration of allyship in the workplace. (In preparation)
In one line of work, I explore how people understand social privilege, both their own and others. I look at reactions to common denials of privilege and how privileged group members navigate conversations about inequity. In doing so, I uncover the many subtle ways that inequity is able to persist through advantaging mechanisms. Along these lines, I explore the subtle ways privileged group members may perpetuate dominant cultural norms and practices in the workplace, such as shifting their self-presentation to match stereotypes or socially appropriate attitudes.
Relevant Publications:
Foster-Gimbel, O. A. & Phillips, L. T. “But I’m not privileged:” Privileged targets’ personal victimhood claims spillover to third parties’ perceptions of inequity. (Preparing to resubmit)
Dupree, C. H., Foster-Gimbel, O. A., Liu, E., & Talaifar, S. Going for woke: White Americans downshift conservatism in interracial settings. (In preparation)
Foster-Gimbel, O. A., Goya-Tocchetto, D., & Hart, E. Nepo babies: Perceptions of privileges based on family connections (Data Collection)
In another line of work, I identify ongoing identity-based experiences that contribute to social inequality, such as objectification or bias. Importantly, I focus on ways organizations and managers can avoid these and instead create a more inclusive, equitable climate.
Relevant Publications:
Leslie, L. M., Flynn, E., Foster-Gimbel, O. A., & Manchester, C. F. (2023). Happy Talk: Is Common Diversity Rhetoric Effective Diversity Rhetoric? Academy of Management Journal, 67(3), 595-624. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2021.1402
Foster-Gimbel, O. A., & Engeln, R. (2016). Fat chance! Experiences and expectations of anti-fat bias in the gay male community. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 3(1), 63-70. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000159
Foster-Gimbel, O. A. & Engeln, R. A mile in her heels: Discrepancies in men’s and women’s estimates of how often young women are sexually objectified may depend on the behavior. (Under review)
Kurtzberg, T. R., Ameri, M., & Foster-Gimbel, O. A. The authenticity disclosure paradox for disabled workers. (In preparation)
In a supplemental line of work, I look at how people judge norm violations, sanctions, and changing social norms across cultures. This fits in with my broader interest in the prevalence and enforcement of dominant social myths that perpetuate inequities.
Relevant Publications:
Andersson, P…. Foster-Gimbel, O. A…. & colleagues. (2024). Anger and disgust shape judgments of social sanctions across cultures, especially in high individual autonomy societies. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 5591. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55815-x
Andrighetto, G.… Foster-Gimbel, O. A…. & colleagues. (2024). Changes in Social Norms During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic Across 43 Countries. Nature Communications, 15(1), 1436. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-44999-5
Eriksson, K…. Foster-Gimbel, O. A…. & colleagues. (2021). Perceptions of the appropriate response to norm violation in 57 societies. Nature Communications, 12, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21602-9
Golding, J. M., Lynch, K. R., Malik, S. E., & Foster-Gimbel, O. A. (2018). Justice served? Perceptions of plea bargaining involving a sexual assault in child and adult females. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 45(4), 503-518. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854817743538