E201: Carol Tavris: The independent scholar -- Science, feminism, critical thinking, and more

PsychSessions: Conversations about Teaching N' Stuff

In this episode Garth interviews Carol Tavris, an independent scholar from Los Angeles, CA. Carol recounts her eclectic career, highlighting her transition from academia to writing. She discusses the importance of accurately communicating psychological science to the public, emphasizing empirical evidence while criticizing the tendency of some popular writers to prioritize sensational ideas. She reflects on various topics, including her work on the psychology of anger, her skepticism toward unfounded scientific claims, and the dynamics of cognitive dissonance. The dialogue also covers Tavris's contributions to textbooks, particularly her efforts to incorporate critical thinking and a balanced view of gender and cultural issues in introductory psychology courses. Carol generously shares insights on maintaining scientific integrity amid societal pressures and changing academic landscapes.

[Note. Portions of these show notes were generated by Descript AI.]