Becoming Human: A Theory of Ontogeny

Michael Tomasello's "Becoming Human" explores how the first seven years of a child's life shape their unique characteristics, challenging the focus on evolution and proposing eight pathways for psychological growth. Based on extensive research with primates, the book identifies shared intentionality and self-regulation as key factors in human development.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 392 pages
\n Publication date: 29 January 2021
\n Publisher: Harvard University Press
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Winner of the William James Book Award and the Eleanor Maccoby Book Award, Becoming Human is a groundbreaking work that challenges traditional theories of human evolution. Instead, it focuses on development and reveals how the unique traits that make us human are constructed during the first seven years of a child's life.

Author Michael Tomasello, a renowned expert in primate behavior, draws from three decades of experimental research with chimpanzees, bonobos, and children to propose a new framework for psychological growth between birth and seven years of age. He identifies eight pathways that differentiate humans from their primate relatives, including social cognition, communication, cultural learning, cooperative thinking, collaboration, prosociality, social norms, and moral identity.

Tomasello argues that while great apes possess rudimentary abilities in these areas, the maturation of humans evolved capacities for shared intentionality, which transform these abilities into uniquely human cognition and sociality. He explores how these pathways develop and interact, shaping the development of a child's personality, social skills, and moral compass.

Becoming Human is praised for its theoretical daring and experimental ingenuity. It squarely tackles the abiding question of what makes us human, providing a fresh perspective on our development and evolution. The book has received widespread acclaim from scholars and experts in the field, with many calling it a landmark in our understanding of human development.

One of the book's most significant contributions is its argument that most distinctly human traits are established early in childhood. Tomasello challenges the notion that human behavior is solely shaped by environmental factors and genetics, suggesting that our early experiences and interactions play a crucial role in shaping our cognitive and social abilities.

The book also offers valuable insights into the development of social cognition, communication, and cultural learning. Tomasello demonstrates how these pathways develop differently in humans compared to great apes, leading to our unique ability to form complex social relationships, communicate effectively, and acquire cultural knowledge.

Another key aspect of Becoming Human is its exploration of prosociality and collaboration. Tomasello argues that these traits are not just inherent in humans but are also developed through socialization and learning. He provides evidence of how children learn to cooperate, share, and care for others, and how these skills contribute to their overall development and well-being.

The book also addresses the development of moral identity and social norms. Tomasello argues that these traits are not just learned through socialization but are also shaped by our biological and evolutionary history. He explores how our innate sense of fairness and empathy are developed and how they contribute to our moral behavior and social interactions.

In conclusion, Becoming Human is a groundbreaking work that challenges traditional theories of human evolution and provides a new framework for understanding our development. Through its comprehensive exploration of the first seven years of a child's life, the book offers valuable insights into the pathways that differentiate humans from our primate relatives and shape our unique traits. It is a must-read for anyone interested in human development, psychology, and evolutionary biology.

\n Weight: 526g\n
Dimension: 234 x 157 x 29 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780674248281\n \n