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.

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