Others in Mind: The Origins of Self-Consciousness

By Philippe Rochat

Book Overview

Why are we so prone to guilt and embarrassment? Why do we care so much about how others see us, about our reputation? What are the origins of such afflictions? Philippe Rochat argues that it is because we are members of a species that evolved the unique propensity to reflect upon themselves as an object of thoughts; an object of thoughts that is potentially evaluated by others. But, the argument goes, this propensity comes from a basic fear: the fear of rejection, of being socially banned and ostracized. Others in Mind is about self-consciousness, how it originates and how it shapes our lives. Self-consciousness is arguably the most important and revealing of all psychological problems.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521729653
• ISBN13: 9780521729659
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.1"