The Perceived Self
Ecological and Interpersonal Sources of Self Knowledge

An interesting theory of self, based on perception, is explored by a distinguished interdisciplinary group of scholars.

Ulric Neisser (Edited by)

9780521030403, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 November 2006

336 pages, 18 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.2 x 2 cm, 0.527 kg

This book brings different ideas to bear on the classical problem of the self. Self-perception, both ecological and social, is the earliest and most fundamental form of self-knowledge. In his introduction, Ulric Neisser describes the 'ecological self' as based on direct and realistic perception of one's situation in the environment; the 'interpersonal self' as established by social interaction with other people. He argues that both of these 'selves' appear in early infancy, long before anything like a self-concept or a self-narrative is possible. In subsequent chapters, fifteen contributors - psychologists, philosophers and others - elaborate on these notions and introduce related ideas of their own. Their topics range from the perceptual and social development of infants to autism and blindness; from mechanisms of motor control to dance and non-verbal communication. The combined contributions of these leading individuals creates an unusual synthesis of perceptual, social and developmental theory.

Preface
List of contributors
Part I. Introduction: 1. The self perceived Ulric Neisser
Part II. The Concept of an Ecological Self: 2. Ontogenesis of the perceived self Eleanor J. Gibson
3. Body-environment coupling David N. Lee
4. A theory of representation-driven actions Marc Jeannerod
5. The ecological self in historical context Franklin C. Shontz
6. Good intentions and dancing moments: Agency, freedom and self-knowledge in dance Sondra Horton Fraleigh
7. The primacy of the ecological self Marjorie Grene
Part III. The Interpersonal Self and Its Implications: 8. The self born in intersubjectivity: the psychology of an infant communicating Colwyn Trevarthen
9. On the interpersonal origins of self-concept Michael Tomasello
10. Infant's knowledge of self, other, and relationship Sandra Pipp
11. The role of feelings for an interpersonal self Daniel N. Stern
12. Spontaneous communication and foundation of the interpersonal self Ross Buck
13. Autism, affordances and the self Katherine A. Loveland
14. Through feeling and sight to self and symbol R. Peter Hobson
15. G. H. Mead and Martin Buber on the interpersonal self James M. Gustafson
16. Cognitive science, other minds, and the philosophy of dialogue and the egocentric predicament David Jopling
Author index
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Social, group or collective psychology [JMH]