Ethan Kross
Ethan Kross is a renowned psychologist and author, best known for his book "Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It." He is a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan and director of the Emotion & Self-Control Laboratory17.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Kross attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated magna cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his PhD in Psychology from Columbia University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in social-affective neuroscience7.
Kross's research focuses on emotion regulation and self-control, particularly examining how people can adaptively manage their thoughts and feelings2. His work has been published in prestigious journals such as Science, The New England Journal of Medicine, and The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences17.
"Chatter," published in 2021, became a national and international bestseller. The book explores the power of the inner voice and provides strategies for harnessing it effectively56. It has been translated into over 40 languages and received critical acclaim17.
Key ideas from "Chatter" include:
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The dual nature of our inner voice as both a helpful tool and a potential source of negative thoughts6.
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Techniques for managing negative self-talk, such as distancing and perspective-taking8.
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The impact of self-talk on health, performance, decision-making, and relationships6.
Kross has been featured in various media outlets, including CBS Evening News, Good Morning America, and NPR's Morning Edition. His work has also been covered in publications like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Harvard Business Review17.
As of 2025, Kross continues his research and teaching at the University of Michigan, where he resides with his wife and two daughters7.