The Rise of Consciousness and the Development of Emotional Life

“A dense, rich book that is certain to change how you understand emotional life….Lewis’s rigorous, both experimentally and observationally grounded, developmental psychology is integrative. Contemporary perspectives in the neurobiology of psychological conditions and in psychoanalysis are brought into the book's conversation, as well as relevant contributions from an astonishing diversity of other disciplines. Lewis's melding of nuanced developmental research findings with a sophisticated conceptual framework for considering emotional life will challenge readers grown accustomed to thinking in more rigid silos.”

—Psychiatric Times


“Crystallizing his five decades of creative and field-shaping scientific leadership, Michael Lewis provides an erudite, integrative, and provocative frame for the study of emotional development and consciousness. His vision for theory-predicated research constitutes required reading for all developmental scientists concerned with fundamental processes linking individuals to their world, and will be a foundation for scholarly progress for decades to come.”

—Richard M. Lerner, PhD, Bergstrom Chair in Applied Developmental Science and Director, Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development, Tufts University


“Lewis offers a panoramic vision of the field of emotion research and of the developmental trajectory of the child with respect to emotion. At the heart of Lewis's approach is an appreciation for the way in which children's growing consciousness (in particular, self-consciousness) transforms their emotional lives. The book is rooted in evolutionary theory; it acknowledges the existence of early, unlearned, emotionally charged action patterns. At the same time, it shows how children's developing awareness of self—and of cultural norms—leads to the emergence of distinctly human emotions such as pride and guilt. Beginning as well as advanced students of emotion will be impressed by the breadth and coherence of Lewis's vision.”

—Paul L. Harris, DPhil, Harvard Graduate School of Education


“Lewis has taken on most of the difficult topics in developmental child psychology, and now he does so again. This book offers a challenging, articulate argument that brings a thoroughgoing developmental perspective to the debates about consciousness, based on an intelligent synthesis of years of empirical work.”

—Ronald G. Barr, MDCM, Canada Research Chair in Community Child Health Research, University of British Columbia


“This readable volume integrates Lewis's extensive body of research to set forth a comprehensive model of emotional development during infancy and early childhood. While setting forth many provocative ideas, Lewis fearlessly tackles some big questions about emotional development: how it is related to consciousness and identity; its involvement in lying and deception; and how it can go awry.”

—Linda A. Camras, PhD, Department of Psychology, DePaul University


“Lewis, a pioneer in the scientific study of emotions, has given us decades of groundbreaking theoretical insights supported by incredibly solid scientific methods. With this book, he has produced an intellectual masterpiece that addresses some of the most important questions about the development of emotions, consciousness, and even culture. Lewis's game-changing insights are gained not only from his own work but also from other important work in psychology, evolutionary biology, and philosophy. He provides a fusion of ideas concerning how both biology and culture actively create our ever-adaptable selves. As a text in upper-level undergraduate or graduate courses on emotions, this book offers students a broad perspective informed by excellent research; it is written in an engaging style with great examples.”

—Eddie Harmon-Jones, PhD, School of Psychology, The University of New South Wales, Australia


“Lewis's foray into how emotional consciousness develops in children is a treasure trove of scientific insight and a fascinating read.”

—Joseph E. LeDoux, PhD, Center for Neural Science, New York University


“Lewis's compelling account of the development of emotions is informed by Darwinian evolution, cognizant of brain maturation as well as culture, and respectful of past theorists while citing the latest research—all sifted through wonderfully good judgment. This book is now the best place to begin the study of emotion and mind.”

—Melvin Konner, MD, PhD, author of The Evolution of Childhood: Relationships, Emotion, Mind


“This book invites us into a dialogue about how the self comes to know itself. Lewis lucidly deconstructs the concept of consciousness as a developmental process, responsive to myriad social and environmental influences, but also incorporating the body's evolution-dependent action patterns. Lewis's contribution to our understanding of consciousness, emotion, and the self is incisive, comprehensive, and accessible. As a reader, I felt as though I'd been invited to join Lewis in a penetrating and wide-ranging conversation in which he enthusiastically anticipated any challenges or disagreement I might have had.”

—Carolyn Saarni, PhD, Department of Counseling, Sonoma State University