Cover of Mean

Mean

The Psychology of Female Rivalry and How to Break the Cycle

Précommander avec l’abonnement
Listen to an unlimited selection of audiobooks, Audible Original creations & podcasts, and children's stories.
Receive 1 credit per month to exchange for the title of your choice - that title belongs to you.

Mean

By: Dr Tracy Vaillancourt Ph.D
Précommander avec l’abonnement

Pre-order Now for €16.99

Pre-order Now for €16.99

Season's Savings | 0.99 €/month for 3 months

5.99 €/month thereafter - terms apply. Cancel monthly.
A fascinating research-based guide to understanding the evolutionary history behind women’s competitive nature with one another, why it’s holding us back, and how we can reshape the culture that divides us.

For generations, women have endured frenemies, workplace saboteurs, and the subtle warfare of gossip—behavior often overlooked yet deeply harmful. Mean offers long-overdue validation for those invisible wounds and the social dynamics behind them.

Blending science-backed research with relatable storytelling, research psychologist Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt examines the hidden forces shaping female aggression. She unpacks the “Queen Bee” phenomenon, the effects of social pain, the biological roots of why women fight dirty, and much more. You’ll also learn to recognize the mechanisms of strategic indirect aggression, from backhanded compliments to the exclusion of rivals.

Mean also explores how patriarchal systems have forced women into a scarcity mindset, making them feel they must tear each other down to survive. You’ll find real-life examples that illustrate how these dynamics play out, ranging from the public shaming of women in the media to heartbreaking stories of teenage bullying and coworker betrayal.

But this isn’t just an analysis of the problem. It is a call-to-action providing insights for recognizing toxic patterns, resisting moral disengagement, and promoting psychological safety. It challenges you to examine your own complicity and move from competition toward collaboration. Mean is an essential guide for any woman ready to understand the “why” behind our aggression and how we can finally break the cycle.
Friendship Gender Studies Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Social Psychology & Interactions Social Sciences
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet