Define self-recognition and describe how Lewis and Brooks (1978) obtained evidence that most children display recognition of their physical selves around 21 months of age

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Self-recognition involves a child's understanding that he or she exists as a separate and unique individual. Another
way of thinking about this phenomenon is to assert that self-recognition involves the development of the I-self.
Most psychologists do not think that children have a sense of self-recognition at birth. Instead, self-regulation is
believed to emerge gradually as a result of social interaction. To examine the typical age at which toddlers became
aware of (or recognize) their physical selves, Lewis and Brooks tested children of three age groups: 9 to 12 months,
15 to 18 months, and 21 to 24 months. These researchers placed infants in front mirrors by themselves and allowed
them to play. Then they placed a spot of rouge on the infant's face while pretending to wipe it clean. After this, they
placed the infant back in front of the mirror. Infants who recognized themselves in the mirror and touched the red
dot on their own faces were categorized as showing self-recognition. The majority of infants in this study displayed
physical self-recognition by 21 months of age.