Lisa M. Diamond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lisa M. Diamond
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Diamond in 2012
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| Nationality | American |
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| Occupation | University professor |
| Employer | University of Utah |
| Known for | Her research on how romantic attractions can change over time |
Lisa M. Diamond is an American psychologist and feminist. She is a professor at the University of Utah where she teaches psychology and gender studies. Her work explores how people's romantic attractions and feelings can develop and sometimes change over their lives. She also studies the strong connections people form with each other, known as bonding.
Diamond is famous for her 2008 book, ... Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love and Desire. In the book, she wrote about the idea that a person's romantic feelings can be flexible. She based her book on a 10-year study of 100 women who were not attracted only to men.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Lisa Diamond first became interested in feminism after hearing a speech by activist Betty Friedan in high school. Feminism is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.
She went on to study feminist ideas at the University of Chicago. During her time there, she became an activist herself. She also realized that she was interested in researching the topic of romantic attraction.
Diamond earned her first degree in psychology from the University of Chicago in 1993. She then continued her studies at Cornell University. She earned a master's degree in 1996 and a Ph.D. in 1999, both in human development.
Career and Research
In 1999, Diamond began working as a professor at the University of Utah. She teaches psychology and gender studies. She also serves on the boards of several important science journals, including Developmental Psychology.
What is Romantic Fluidity?
Diamond's most famous research is on a topic she calls romantic fluidity. This is the idea that for some people, the gender they are attracted to can change over time.
In her studies, she found that some women said their romantic attractions had shifted during their lives. Diamond makes it clear that this is not a choice. The women in her study did not feel like they were choosing to change. Instead, these changes happened on their own.
A Scientist and a Feminist
Diamond calls herself a "feminist scientist." She believes it is important for scientists to recognize they have their own viewpoints. But she also thinks it is important for feminists to use data and evidence to understand the world.
Besides her work on romantic attraction, Diamond has also studied attachment theory. This theory explains how the first bonds we form with our parents or caregivers can shape our relationships later in life.
Awards and Recognition
Lisa Diamond has received many awards for her important research.
- 2009: The American Psychological Association gave her the Distinguished Book Award for her book ... Fluidity. The book was also a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award.
- 2010: She won another book award from the International Association of Relationship Research.
- 2011: The APA gave her an Outstanding Achievement Award for her work related to the LGBTQ+ community.
