Carol Tavris

Carol Tavris is an acclaimed American psychologist, author, and lecturer best known for her writings on the psychology of gender and emotion. Her work has made an indelible mark on the psychology of self-understanding and relationships.

Tavris was born in Chicago in 1943 to a Jewish family and received a B.A. in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.A. in Social Psychology from the University of Michigan. During her studies at Berkeley, Tavris became fascinated with the power of dissonance, or the lack of harmony between a person's beliefs and behaviour.

This interest in dissonance theory shaped Tavris' research and writing throughout her career, and she is particularly well-known for connecting it to gender roles and the psychology of emotions. One of her most acclaimed works is the 1982 book, Anger: The Misunderstood Emotion, which received numerous awards and critical acclaim for exploring and debunking the long-standing myths about how anger should be expressed and how it affects women and men differently.

In addition to her books, Tavris has also written hundreds of scientific and popular articles focused on gender and interpersonal relations. Her scientific publications explore the myth of psychoanalysis, the placebo effect, the role of genetics in sexual orientation, and the implications of biological determinism.

Throughout her career, Tavris has received numerous professional awards recognizing her work. In 1987, she was awarded the Erich Fromm award by the New York Institute for Psychoanalytical Studies and, in 2017, she was the recipient of the Distinguished Contribution Award by the American Psychological Association, Division 35, Society for the Psychology of Women.

Tavris is best known for her books and writings, but she is also an active speaker. She is often invited to lecture on topics such as emotion, gender, and health, which have been extensively covered in her work. Her lectures often address psychological issues experienced by both men and women and explore the implications of gender roles in social, familial, and professional relations.

Overall, Carol Tavris has made significant contributions to the field of psychology, advancing its understanding of emotion, gender, and relationships. Through her lectures and writings, Tavris has managed to inspire critical conversations around the complexity of gender roles, emotions, and interpersonal relations. Her work has made an indelible mark on how we view ourselves and those around us.