This Changes Everything: The Relational Revolution in Psychology

by Christina Robb

In 1977, Carol Gilligan published the essay "In a Different Voice" describing the discrepancy in morality and self-expression between men and women. In a radical break with the Freudian school that dominated psychology, Gilligan and her peers went on to identify relationships rather than the notion of "self" as the foundation of our psychological and physical states. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Christina Robb recounts the untold efforts of a pioneering group of psychologists--Carol Gilligan, Jean Baker Miller, and Judith Lewis Herman--whose groundbreaking work really did change everything.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Relationships

560 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kevin Makice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The entire history of relational psychology is surprisingly dense but well-written. This book describes the experiences and path to insight for the major players in the development of relational-cultural theory. It has a deep bibliography and notes section, but the power is how it humanizes the history of this way of thinking. I wish the long chapters had been broken down into smaller chunks. At times it is difficult to keep track of the changes in focus.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me goose bumps and made me all teary eyed with emotion. In other words, it was amazing. I am still reeling.

It's the history of the "relational-cultural theory" in psychology. In layman's terms, that was the movement to bring the female perspective into the study of psychology, beginning in the 1970s (in Boston!).

For example, (young, white) men (in Western cultures) are taught that strong relationships are a weakness, and that the path to psychological grow leads you away from all "dependencies" and towards a lonely life of perfect autonomy--a focus on the cultivation of the ego that has never fit with the female experience.

This book traces all the mistakes of psychology, from Freud to the beginning of this movement. It's the story of how men and women absolutely need healthy relationships to grow, as they provide us with "good conflict" and moves us forward in our own development.

Simplistic, but I cannot even begin to do it justice. Read the book!

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed the way that I look at the social situation in the world and made me question if the current order is the only right one. A must-read for anyone.

Also, the stories of the 3 researchers that are described in the book are extremely well-written and inspiring.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am biased regarding the author, and I learned more than I can say about relational theory from this book even though I had read many of the authors whose stories are told and whose theories are analyzed.