Alice Eagly is Professor of Psychology, James Padilla Chair of Arts and Sciences, Faculty Fellow in the Institute for Policy Research, and Professor of Management and Organizations at Northwestern University.
She also held faculty positions at Michigan State University, the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, and Purdue University.
Her research and writing concern gender, attitudes, prejudice, cultural stereotypes, and leadership.
She is the author of numerous journal articles and three books:
- Sex Differences in Social Behavior: A Social Role Interpretation (1987 with Shelly Chaiken)
- The Psychology of Attitudes (1993 with Linda Carli)
- Through the Labyrinth: The Truth About How Women Become Leaders (2007)
Interview with Sabrina Braham – Women’s Guide to Navigating the Leadership Labyrinth
Alice Eagly Biography | Women’s Leadership Podcast Interview
Alice H. Eagly is a distinguished social psychologist with a diverse research portfolio encompassing gender studies, attitudes, and social cognition. Born in Los Angeles and raised in California and Seattle, Washington, she pursued her undergraduate studies at Harvard University before earning her graduate degrees from the University of Michigan.
Throughout her academic career, Eagly has held notable positions at various institutions, including Michigan State University, the University of Massachusetts, Purdue University, and Northwestern University. At Northwestern, she currently holds the esteemed positions of Professor of Psychology Emerita, James Padilla Chair of Arts and Sciences Emerita, and Faculty Fellow Emerita in the Institute for Policy Research. In 2022, she was elected as a Member of the primary section 52, Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, and secondary section 53, Social and Political Sciences.
Eagly’s research contributions are wide-ranging, covering gender dynamics, societal stereotypes, prejudice, leadership, prosocial behavior, partner preferences, aggression, and sociopolitical attitudes. Renowned for her experimental studies and extensive meta-analyses, she has delved into the complexities of human behavior, offering insights into the realities of men’s and women’s actions in daily life.
Central to Eagly’s work is her development of social role theory, a framework that explains sex/gender differences and similarities in various behaviors. This model, tested through numerous meta-analytic projects and empirical studies, has evolved into a comprehensive evolutionary perspective on gender differences. Emphasizing the flexibility of behaviors across societies and historical periods, this perspective has proven valuable for understanding group stereotypes, including gender-related ones.
In addition to her contributions to gender psychology, Eagly has significantly impacted research on attitudes and persuasion. Her influential 1993 book with Shelly Chaiken, “Psychology of Attitudes,” stands as a seminal guide in the field, offering a nuanced analysis of the cognitive and affective processes underlying attitudes and attitude change.
Eagly’s remarkable career has earned her numerous accolades, including membership in prestigious institutions such as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences. Beyond her academic achievements, she has served as President of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology and the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. Her legacy as a thought leader in social psychology continues to inspire and shape the field.
