Rate My Professor Eric Igou

As a social psychologist, Igou's research centers on social cognition and self-regulation, with specific interests in existential concerns, perceptions of meaning in life, boredom, disillusionment, affective forecasting, heroism, and meaning-regulation strategies in response to affective experiences such as boredom and loneliness. He has supervised numerous PhD students to completion, maintaining long-term collaborations, notably with van Tilburg on approximately 50 joint publications exploring boredom's role in meaning-motivated cognition. Key works include 'The persistence of boredom: Boredom as a promoter of meaning-motivated cognition' (Van Tilburg & Igou, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2017), 'Disillusionment and meaning in life' (Maher, Van Tilburg, & Igou, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2019), 'On boredom and social identity: A pragmatic perspective' (Van Tilburg & Igou, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2011), and 'Narcissism and the self as a symbol' (Van Tilburg, Igou, & Sedikides, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2013). With over 7,200 citations, an h-index of 46, and recognition in the Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists rankings (2024 data), Igou has organized key events including the first Conference on Social Psychology in Ireland (2009) and European Social Cognition Network meetings, and holds memberships in the European Association of Social Psychology, Society for Personality and Social Psychology, and others.