In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women's Development

I wasn't sure I'd find much enjoyment in some scholarly non-fiction discussing psychological theory but I found this book extremely thought-provoking, particularly the first half. Gilligan's premise is that the overwhelming bulk of psychological theory has been based upon the study of males and that, while the resulting conclusions may be valid for boys and men, they are not for girls and women. She argues that the identity, worldview, developmental stages and perceptions of morality of females are different from those of males, and that failure to perceive that there are two modes of experience has left us with an incomplete dialectic that does not realize the necessity of both perspectives as complementary forces.

Having been published show more in the early 1980s, I'm sure these theories have been refuted, rebutted and otherwise argued about extensively in the succeeding three decades—I'm not knowledgeable enough about the field to form any judgment. Nonetheless, her findings are interesting to read, to say the least. From the opening chapter that looked at a study where "boys were seen quarrelling all the time, but not once was a game terminated…In contrast, the eruption of disputes among girls tended to end the game" to final chapters on the ethics of abortion, Gilligan presents her case that the earliest stages of gender identification form completely distinct—and differing—conceptions of self-hood, relationship and morality in the genders.

If I have one novice criticism, it is that Gilligan takes pains in her introduction to claim that her distinctions of two modes of thinking are separated "not by gender but by theme" and are not to "represent a generalization about either sex." These intentions appear to be summarily abandoned by the first chapter and the rest of the book proceeds to tell us that "men think this and women think that." It makes the arguments no less thought-provoking but it is a bit of disingenuousness that irks.

The interested audience for this work is likely somewhat limited—and, perhaps, those with interest will have found it already—but it was worth the time spent. show less

At base, Gilligan is arguing for a different Freudian narrative. Since I think the Freudian enterprise is pretty bankrupt, I was unimpressed, but as a feminist re-writing of a major academic paradigm, it's really a tour-de-force.

Every MAN should be requires to read this, And regardless of how fountains on the tragic circumstances of abortion and or Roe v. Wade , read this while you search your consciences. When unread this, I was sadly, completely ignorant of the medical procedure of abortion. I baked my eyes out upon learning of the process. Gilligan gives appropriate weight to the discussion.

Life-changing. This book has me questioning everything I have learned about the various theories of psychology.

"Carol Gilligan believes that psychology has persistently and systematically misunderstood women -- their motives, their moral commitments, the course of their psychological growth, and their special view of what is important in life. Repeatedly, developmental theories have been built on observations of men's lives. Here Gilligan attempts to correct psychology's misperceptions and refocus its view of female personality." from the book cover