The publication of Le harcèlement moral, la violence perverse au quotidien in 1998 sold 450,000 copies in France alone. Marie-France Hirigoyen, a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and psychotherapist based in Paris, turned her focus toward the study of mobbing—a specific pattern of workplace bullying—after an initial interest in victimology led her to explore the mechanics of human stress.
Professional Evolution and Victimology
Born in 1949 in Coulaines, Hirigoyen began her medical career with a focus on psychiatry and psychoanalysis. During the mid-1980s, her clinical research transitioned toward victimology, a sub-field of criminology. This shift provided the analytical framework she later applied to the study of psychological aggression within professional environments.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →The Impact of Mobbing Research
Hirigoyen identifies mobbing as a distinct form of violence that manifests through perverse daily interactions. Her analysis of these stressors gained international reach, with her primary work on the subject translated for audiences in 24 countries. Her approach emphasizes the examination of practical stressors rather than theoretical elegance.
Recognition and Public Presence
Beyond her writing, Hirigoyen engaged in public discourse regarding mental health and workplace dynamics. She has appeared on French television programs to discuss her findings and was featured on the Spanish program Carta blanca in 2006 at the invitation of Lucía Etxebarría. In 2016, she received the title of Officer of the National Order of Merit in recognition of her contributions.
Fast facts
- Born: 1949, Coulaines, France
- Primary focus: Mobbing and victimology
- Notable publication: Le harcèlement moral, la violence perverse au quotidien (1998)
- Award: Officer of the National Order of Merit (2016)
- Language: French
- Base of operations: Paris
Questions readers ask
What is Marie-France Hirigoyen's area of expertise?
She specializes in psychiatry, psychoanalysis, and psychotherapist practices with a focus on workplace mobbing and victimology.
Is Hirigoyen's work recognized outside of France?
Yes, her research on moral harassment has been translated into the languages of 24 different countries.
Achievements
- Officer of the National Order of Merit — 2016
