Book Sections/Chapters

1. Tomasello, M, Understanding the self as social agent, in Advances in Psychology, vol. 112 (January, 1995), pp. 449-460 [doi].
   (last updated on 2024/11/03)

   Abstract:
   This chapter discusses the early development of the understanding of self as social agent in the human species, and briefly discusses its ontogenetic and phylogenetic origins. The chapter outlines the canonical developmental sequence, focusing especially on the social-cognitive revolution that occurs at around the infant's first birthday. The chapter also focuses on the early ontogeny of self and investigates in more detail the ontogenetic processes that might lead to the social-cognitive revolution. The process of understanding one's self as a social agent involves: 1) an early identification with but differentiation from others in the first 6–8 months of life; 2) a clear demonstration of intentionality toward the world in one's own behavior; 3) the combination of these two developments leading to an understanding of others as intentional agents at 9–12 months; and 4) the application of that understanding when others regard the self. This is the developmental foundation for the uniquely human version of self-concept in which the self is understood as a social agent in the midst of other social agents, all of whom are regarding one another simultaneously. © 1995 Elsevier B.V.