Psychology Colloquium: Professor Michael Lewis

Psychology Colloquium: Professor Michael Lewis

Abstract: Toward A Theory of Emotional Development

Although Bowlby and Freud appear to offer a theory of emotional
develoment, it is Darwin who we must turn our attention to. Early
emotions, adaptive action patterns related to environmental events,
appear in the first few months of life. These include fear, sadness,
joy, anger, disgust and interest. These action patterns are transformed
by an important maturational event, the emergence of consciousness as a
function of the development of the left parietal junction. With the
onset of consciousness a new set of emotions and their action patterns
emerge and include shame, pride, embarrassment and guilt. Thus, early
emotions give way to consciousness which in turn give way to the human
self conscious emotions and to many mental disorders.

3:45PM in Stiteler Hall room B21. Refreshments will be served at 3:15 PM in the Silverstein Forum.