Professional Bio

Research Interests

I study core psychological needs and how membership in certain social categories, for instance, related to race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or chronic illness, can affect people’s cognitive, affective, and physiological processes over time. I study psychological processes related to belonging, autonomy, and trust and how complex societal factors, such as stereotypes about groups, can affect performance, well-being, and health. My research also seeks to develop and test psychological interventions to help mitigate environmental threats and their consequences. 

My philosophy as a researcher is interdisciplinary. I believe that psychological and behavioral processes are best understood in the context of the mutually interacting embedded social systems in which people live.  I use a variety of methods, including experiments in the lab and field and momentary or daily assessments over time. Many of my projects have a longitudinal aspect. To better understand the complex data sets emerging from my research, I have developed an interest in quantitative methods and statistical modeling. 

Relevant publications 

Hu, D., Park, H. J., Ruberton, P. M., Smyth, J. M., Cohen, G. L., Purdie-Greenaway, V., & Cook, J. E. (2026). Trust in advisor predicts Ph.D. students’ academic motivation, well-being, and achievement: A prospective longitudinal study. PNAS Nexus 

Park, H. J., Turetsky, K. M., Dahl, J., Pasek, M. H., Germano, A. L., Harper, J. O., Purdie-Greenaway, V., Cohen, G. L., & Cook, J. E. (2025). Investigating cortisol in a STEM classroom: The association between cortisol and academic performance. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 51(3), 357-373. doi: 10.1177/01461672231188277 

Matsick, J. L., Sullivan, J. T., Todd, E., Kruk, M. & Cook, J. E. (2024). A social ecological approach to belonging in LGBTQ+ people. Nature Reviews Psychology, 3(3), 181-197. doi: 10.1038/s44159-024-00280-6 

Stevens, S. M., Ruberton, P. M., Smyth, J. M., Cohen, G. L., Purdie Greenaway, V., & Cook, J. E. (2023). A latent class analysis approach to the identification of doctoral students at risk of attrition. PLoS ONE, 18(1): e0280325. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280325 

Park, H. J., Ruberton, P. M., Smyth, J. M., Cohen, G. L., Purdie-Greenaway, V., & Cook, J. E. (2022). Lower SES PhD students experience interpersonal disconnection from others both inside and outside of academia. Journal of Social Issues, 1-29. 

Cook, J. E., Salter, A., & Stadler, G. (2017). Identity concealment and chronic illness: A strategic choice. Journal of Social Issues, 73(2), 359-378 

Pasek, M. H., Filip-Crawford, G., & Cook, J. E. (2017). Identity concealment and social change: Balancing advocacy goals against individual needs. Journal of Social Issues, 73(2), 397-412. 

Powers, J., Cook, J. E., Purdie-Vaughns, V., Garcia, J., Apfel, N., & Cohen, G. L. (2016). Changing environments by changing individuals: The emergent effects of psychological intervention. Psychological Science, 27(2), 150-160. 

Cook, J. E., Purdie-Vaughns, V., Meyer, I. H., & Busch, J. T. A. (2014). Intervening within and across levels: A multilevel approach to stigma and public health. Social Science & Medicine, 103, 101-109. 

Cook, J. E., Purdie-Vaughns, V., Garcia, J., & Cohen, G. L. (2012). Chronic threat and contingent belonging: Protective benefits of values affirmation on identity development. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102(3), 479-496.