Professor Tiedens' research is primarily in two areas: (1) the psychology of social hierarchies, and (2) the social context of emotion. She is specifically interested in the psychological processes involved in the creation and maintenance of hierarchical relationships. Her work on emotion is concerned with the effects of emotion on social judgment and with relations between social roles and emotions.

Professor Tiedens is the Jonathan B. Lovelace Professor of Organizational Behavior. She received her BA in Psychology from Carleton College and her PhD in Social Psychology from The University of Michigan. Professor Tiedens’ research is concerned with the psychology of social hierarchies and the role of emotions in organizational life. Most recently, Lara has focused on the processes involved in the spontaneous emergence of hierarchies and on the emotional and psychological benefits these hierarchies provide. Her research has appeared in a number of journals in social psychology and organizational behavior and she sits on the editorial boards of Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Organizational Science, and Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

Professor Tiedens teaches about interpersonal and team dynamics, the effects of emotions, and negotiations in the MBA, PhD, and Executive programs. Her research and teaching have won awards.