Others in Mind: Social Origins of Self-Consciousness (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780521506359)

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.

Author: Philippe Rochat
ISBN-10: 0521506352
ISBN-13: 9780521506359
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 02/09/2009
Pages: 264
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.14lbs
Size: 9.17h x 6.87w x 0.95d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 08/01/2009