Elif Bilal
Concentration:
Social Psychology
Research Interests:
Elif Bilal is a PhD student in psychology whose research focuses on social perceptions of marginalized groups. Her work examines how perceptions of nonconformity shape motivated reasoning, ingroup–outgroup boundaries, and the construction of scapegoats in political and psychological contexts. She approaches nonconformity through cross-cultural, racial, existential, and sexual and gender identity lenses.
Drawing on social and political psychology, she is particularly interested in the role of existential threat, socialization, and identity development in producing defensive responses to diversity and nonconformity. Her research explores how unconscious motivations and culturally embedded norms contribute to the belief that others’ identities must conform to dominant social expectations, with the broader aim of informing research on equity, inclusion, and social change.
She conducts research in the Social Cognition and Bias Lab with Dr. Ian M. Handley at Montana State University and earned her M.S. in Psychology from Montana State University in 2025.
Advisor:
Dr. Ian Handley
Email:
elifbilal@gmail.com
B.A., Psychology, Dogus University, Turkiye (2017)
B.A., International Relations, Gazi University, Turkiye (2011)
Bilal, E, Yilmaz, O., & Bahçekapili, H. G. (July 2015) The Effect of Belief in Determinism on Prejudice: An Experimental Study. Paper presented at the 20th annual meeting of the Turkish Psychology Students Society, Gaziantep, Turkiye
Yilmaz, S., Ince, I., Bilal E., & Yilmaz, O. (September 2016) The Effect of Reminding of Mortality and Threat of ISIS on Attitudes on Democracy: An Experimental Study. Paper presented at the 19th biennial meeting of the Turkish Psychology Association, Izmir, Turkiye
Bilal, E., & Helm, P. J. (2026). Existential isolation and I-sharing: Theoretical and empirical contributions. In K. E. Vail III, D. R. Van Tongeren, R. J. Schlegel, J. Greenberg, L. A. King, & R. M. Ryan (Eds.), Handbook of the science of existential psychology. Guilford Press.
Bilal, E., & Helm, P.J. (February 8-10, 2024). Transgender Identity and Death Thought Accessibility: A Terror Management Analysis. [Conference Poster Presentation]. SPSP ’24 Annual Convention, San Diego, CA, United States.
Bilal, E., & Helm, P.J. (February 20-22, 2025). Transgender Identity, Demographic Threat and Death Thought Accessibility: A Terror Management Analysis. [Conference Poster Presentation]. SPSP ’25 Annual Convention, Denver, CO, United States.
Bilal, E., Moore, M.J., Fields, C., Helm, P. & Handley, I. (February 26-28, 2026). Parental Identity and Bias: Predicting Children's Outcomes Based on Parents' Gender and Sexuality. [Conference Poster Presentation]. SPSP '26 Annual Convention, Chicago, IL, United States.
