Ethan Kross

Ethan Kross is an American experimental psychologist, neuroscientist and writer, who specializes in emotion regulation. He is a professor of psychology and management at the University of Michigan and director of the Emotion & Self Control Laboratory there. Kross lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Early life and education

Kross was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He earned a degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a PhD in psychology from Columbia University, and a post-doctoral fellowship in social-affective neuroscience.

Career

Since 2008, Kross has been at the University of Michigan, where he is now a professor of psychology and management. He founded the Emotion & Self Control Laboratory at the university and is its director. He studies the science of introspection, "the silent conversations people have with themselves: internal dialogues that powerfully influence how they live their lives."

A study by Kross and Philippe Verduyn of Leuven University in Belgium has shown that the more a person uses Facebook, the less satisfied they are with life. Other research by Kross and a colleague found that "the way that we process negative experiences can help reset that behavior." They found that when remembering a past experience, if people use self-distancing techniques—psychologically distancing themselves from a situation that is happening to them—"their stress levels and physical health indicators improved, and they were also better able to solve problems and resolve conflicts."

Personal life

Kross lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his wife and two daughters.

Publications

Chatter: The Voice in Our Head and How to Harness It. London: Vermilion, 2021. ISBN 978-1785041952.

Shift: Managing Your Emotions So They Don't Manage You. New York: Crown Publishing Group, 2025. ISBN 9780593444412