Carol Gilligan, Professor of Psychology at Harvard University Graduate School of Education, discusses the connection between the early development of girls and the psychology of women. Gilligan initiated the Harvard Project on Women's Psychology and Girls' Development, and co-authored the 1992 book, Meeting at the Crossroads: Women’s Psychology and Girls’ Development, with Lyn Mikel Brown. The focus of her book, and of the lecture, is her research on how the treatment of girls at the cusp of adolescence impacts their behavior as adult women. Gilligan provides the historical background for her research, delving into the state of the field of psychology during the 1970s. She discusses the biased nature of psychology at this time and how women were often left out of psychological research. Gilligan’s research study sought to trace the psychological changes that occurred in girls going through adolescence, such as a shift from girls openly expressing their thoughts to exhibiting more restrained forms of communication. Her approach seeks to validate the experiences of girls, and the findings from her research provide insight into the psychological development of women. Gilligan believes that these findings could help combat the silencing of women’s voices with a shift in how society handles young girls. The discussion concludes with audience questions.