April 6: Michael Lewis

The Rise of Consciousness and the Development of Emotional Life

Michael Lewis

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

 

Human newborns arrive with a multitude of behaviors, or “action patterns,” that connect them to their physical worlds; for example, tasting a bitter food elicits a recognizable expression of disgust.  Action patterns are not learned, but are readily influenced by temperament and social interactions.  With the emergence of consciousness these early competencies become reflected feelings, giving rise to the self-conscious emotions of empathy, envy, embarrassment, and, later, shame, guilt, and pride.  Beginning as responses to particular physical events, emotions later become elicited by ideas about the self and the world.  The ability to think about ourselves is not only what gives meaning to our emotional lives, but also what enables us to make choices, evaluate our behavior, and make plans for the future. 


This talk will be held in 3105 Tolman, 12:00-1:30pm.