Others in Mind: Social Origins of Self-Consciousness

By Philippe Rochat

Categories: Politics & Social Sciences, Science & Math

In Others in Mind, developmental psychologist Philippe Rochat argues that human self-awareness grows from our ties to other people. Drawing on studies of infants and children, he holds that self-consciousness rests on a deep need for affiliation and fear of rejection: we learn to see ourselves as others see us. That concern, he shows, shapes shame, pride, empathy and identity.

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