August 2014
ADDRESS
University of Arizona
Department of Communication
317 Communication Building
1103 E. University Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85721
CONTACT INFORMATION
(817) 320-9891
(520) 626-3064 jodi.l.whitaker@gmail.com
jodiwhitaker@email.arizona.edu
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Ohio State University (2013)
Mass Media and Communication
Doctoral Thesis: Attraction to Violent Video Games: A Mood Management
Perspective
Committee: Brad J. Bushman (Chair), Mike Slater, Dave Ewoldsen
M.A. University of Michigan (2009)
Social Psychology
Master’s Thesis: Catharsis Beliefs and Motivation to Play Violent Video Games
Advisor: Brad J. Bushman
B.S. Texas A & M University (2006)
Psychology, Honors Fellow, summa cum laude
Senior Honors Thesis: The Effect of Gender on Student Writers’ Evaluations of
Peer Tutors
Advisor: Valerie M. Balester
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
University of Arizona
Assistant Professor
Ohio State University
Graduate Student Instructor
Academic Advisor
Graduate Student Research Assistant
University of Michigan
Graduate Student Instructor
Graduate Student Research Assistant
Texas A&M University
Writing Center Tutor
Department of Communication
August 2014 – Present
Department of Communication
January 2012 – December 2013
August 2012 – May 2013
August 2010 – December 2013
Department of Psychology
August 2008 – December 2009
August 2007 – July 2010
August 2004 – May 2006

PUBLICATIONS
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Whitaker, J. L., & Bushman, B. J. (In press). “Boom, headshot”: Effect of video game play and controller type on firing aim and accuracy. Communication Research.
Velez, J., Greitmeyer, T., Whitaker, J. L., Ewoldsen, D. R., & Bushman, B. J. (In press). Violent video games and reciprocity norms: The attenuating effects of cooperation and game play on subsequent aggression. Communication Research.
Whitaker, J. L., Melzer, A., Steffgen, G., & Bushman, B. J. (2013). The allure of the forbidden:
Breaking taboos, frustration, and attraction to violent games. Psychological Science, 4,
507-513.
Whitaker, J. L., & Bushman, B. J. (2012). "Remain calm. Be kind": Effects of relaxing video games on aggressive and prosocial behavior. Social Psychological and Personality
Science, 3, 88-92.
Bushman, B. J., & Whitaker, J. L. (2010). Like a magnet: Catharsis beliefs attract angry people to violent video games. Psychological Science, 21(6), 790-792.
Whitaker, J. L., & Bushman, B. J. (2009). A review of the effects of violent video games on children and adolescents. Washington and Lee Law Review, 66(3), 1033-1051.
Whitaker, J. L., & Bushman, B. J. (2009). Online dangers: Keeping children and adolescents safe.
Washington and Lee Law Review, 66(3), 1053-1063.
Benjamin, L. T., Whitaker, J. L., Ramsey, R. M., & Zeve, D. R. (2007). John B. Watson’s alleged sex research: An appraisal of the evidence. American Psychologist, 62(2), 131-139.
Book Chapters
Whitaker, J. L., Velez, J., & Knobloch-Westerwick, S. (2012). Mood management and selective exposure with new media. In W. Wirth et al. (Series Ed.) & L. Reinecke & S. Trepte (Vol.
Eds.), Entertainment research: Entertainment in new media. Koln: Herbert von Halem
Verlag.
Bushman, B. J., Huesmann, L. R., & Whitaker, J. L. (2009). Violent media effects. In R. L. Nabi &
M. B. Oliver (Eds.), Media processes and effects (pp. 361-376). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Encyclopedia Entries
Bushman, B. J., & Whitaker, J. L. (2012). Media influence on behavior. In V. S. Ramachandran
(Ed.), Encyclopedia of human behavior (2e), 571-575. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
In preparation
Whitaker, J. L., & Bushman, B. J. (Manuscript in preparation). Catharsis beliefs and violent video games: A media outlet for mood management?
Solloway, T., Whitaker, J. L., Gibson, B., Bushman, B. J., & Melzer, A. (Research in progress).
Killing avatars in video games kills the effectiveness of in-game ads.
Powers, S., Wang, J., Morey, A., Solloway, T., & Whitaker, J. L. (In preparation). Desensitization
to violent images: Individual differences in habituation responses.
RESEARCH COVERAGE IN POPULAR PRESS
2013 “Boom, headshot”: Effect of video game play and controller type on firing aim and
accuracy.
Wall Street Journal , Psychology Today , ABC , Science Daily , Yahoo!
, Discovery News ,
Kotaku
The allure of the forbidden: Breaking taboos, frustration, and attraction to violent games.
Psychology Today , APS News , Game Politics
2012 "Remain calm. Be kind": Effects of relaxing video games on aggressive and prosocial
behavior.
Chicago Tribune , Reuters , MSNBC , CNET , Science Daily , Game Politics
2010 Like a magnet: Catharsis beliefs attract angry people to violent video games.
Psychology Today , APS News
PRESENTATIONS
Whitaker, J. L. (2013, October). Mood management and attraction to violent video games.
Presentation given at meeting of the Communication and Technology Studies research group, The Ohio State University.
Bushman, B. J., & Whitaker, J. L. (2012, July). “Boom, headshot”: Effects of video game play and
controller type on firing aim and accuracy. International Society for Research on
Aggression, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.

Velez, J. Greitmeyer, T., Whitaker, J. L., Ewoldsen, D. R., & Bushman, B. J. (2012, May). No hard
feelings: The importance of a dynamic approach to video game effects. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, Phoenix, AZ.
Whitaker, J. L. (2011, October). Games, guns, and headshots: How video games can influence
firing aim and accuracy. Presentation given at meeting of the Communication and
Technology Studies research group, The Ohio State University.
Whitaker, J. L., & Bushman, B. J. (2011, May). “Boom, headshot”: Effects of video game play
and controller type on firing aim and accuracy. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Conference on Persuasive Technology, Columbus, OH.
Powers, S., Wang, J., Morey, A., Solloway, T., & Whitaker, J. L. (2011, June). Desensitization to
violent images: Individual differences in habituation responses. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, Boston, MA.
Greenwood, D., & Whitaker, J. L. (2011, May). When it comes to young women’s self-esteem,
baseball trumps cheerleading. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the
Association for Psychological Science, Washington, D.C.
Whitaker, J. L., Velez, J., & Knobloch-Westerwick, S. (2011, February). Selective exposure in the
new media context. Presentation given at meeting of the Communication and
Technology Studies research group, The Ohio State University.
Whitaker, J. L., & Bushman, B. J. (2011, January). Effects of peaceful video games on prosocial
and antisocial behavior. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for
Personality and Social Psychology, San Antonio, TX.
Whitaker, J. L. (2010 February). The effects of peaceful video games on prosocial and antisocial
behavior. Presentation given at the Social Area research group meeting, University of
Michigan Social Area.
Whitaker, J. L., & Bushman, B. J. (2010, May). Effects of peaceful video games on prosocial
behavior. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological
Science, Boston, MA.
Whitaker, J. L. (2010, March). Cross-cultural differences in P300 activation during emotion
regulation. Presentation given at annual seminar series of the Center for Culture, Mind, and the Brain, Ann Arbor, MI.
Whitaker, J. L., & Bushman, B. J. (2010, January). Catharsis belief and the motivation to play
violent video games. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for
Personality and Social Psychology, Las Vegas, NV.
Whitaker, J. L. (2009, February). Belief in catharsis as a motivator to play a violent video game.
Presentation given at the Social Area research group meeting, University of Michigan.

Whitaker, J. L., & Bushman, B. J. (2009, May). Catharsis belief and the motivation to play violent
video games. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for
Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.
Whitaker, J. L., & Balester, V. M. (2005, October). The effect of gender on student writers’
evaluations of peer tutors. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International
Writing Centers Association, Minneapolis, MN.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Assistant Professor (2014 – Present)
University of Arizona
Introduction to Media Effects (Fall 2014, undergraduate)
Persuasive Communication (Fall 2014, undergraduate)
Instructor (2008-2014)
Ohio State University (Communication)
Persuasive Communication (Winter 2012, Summer 2012, undergraduate)
Student evaluation rating: 4.7, 4.9/5.0
Human-Computer Interaction (Spring 2013, undergraduate)
Evaluation and Usability Testing (Fall 2012, undergraduate)
Student evaluation rating: 4.5/5.0
Principles of Effective Public Speaking (Spring 2012, undergraduate)
Student evaluation rating: 4.8/5.0
University of Michigan (Psychology)
Introduction to Psychology (Fall 2009, undergraduate)
Student evaluation rating: 4.0/5.0.
Violence in the Mass Media and Society (Fall 2008, undergraduate)
Student evaluation overall rating: 4.5/5.0.
EDITORIAL OFFICES AND DUTIES
Assistant Managing Editor
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Journal of Architectural and Planning Research
Ad Hoc Journal Reviewer
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Journal of Children and Media
Conference Reviewer
Association for Psychological Science
2008 - 2010
2004
2009 - Present
2010 - Present
2010

SERVICE HISTORY
University of Arizona
Ohio State University
Academic Advisor
SONA Systems Coordinator, School of Communication Participant Pool
Graduate Admissions Welcoming Committee
Work/Life Balance Panel
University of Michigan
Graduate Admissions Committee
Michigan Association of Psychological Scholars Mentor
GRADUATE COMMITTEES AND ADVISING
PhD Advising
University of Arizona
2014-2015 Candace Manriquez (Research Advising)
PhD Committee
University of Arizona
2014-2015
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
International Communication Association
National Communication Association
Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
Association for Psychological Science
Personality and Social Psychology (APA Division 8)
Media Psychology (APA Division 46)
2014
2012-2013
2012-2013
2012
2011
2009
2008 - 2010
2010 – Present
2010 – Present
2008 - Present
2007 - Present
2007 - Present
2007 - Present