The Developmental Psychology of Personal Identity - by Massimo Marraffa & Cristina Meini (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Massimo Marraffa and Cristina Meini re-connect the psychology of identity with its philosophical roots in this study. They trace the contemporary problem of the self to John Locke and William James' foundational theories on personal identity. By integrating the philosophy of identity with empirical and neuropsychological research, Marraffa and Meini provide an original synthesis of multidisciplinary conceptions of the self.

Review Quotes

A systematic critical exposition of a form of individual constructivism on the nature and development of personal identity as narration, with an original approach of the ways to the formation of the human 'sense of the self 'through bodily self-awareness, emotional introspection, attachment phenomena and defensive constructions . A useful introduction to the philosophical history of the question and to the status of contemporary research in cognitive sciences.
Eugenio Lecaldano, Department of Philosophy, University of Rome Sapienza, Italy

Marraffa and Meini virtuously integrate the psychology of identity with its philosophical roots and substantiate both with empirical (neuro-)psychological research. This beautiful journey through the developmental history underscores that personal identity is a necessity of personhood, making it a must-read for those intrigued by self, personality, and autobiographical memory.
Christin Camia, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Zayed University, United Arab Emirates

About the Author

Massimo Marraffa is Professor, Department of Philosophy, Communication and Performing Arts, is Professor, Department of Philosophy, Communication and Performing Arts, Roma Tre University, Italy.

Cristina Meini is Professor, University of Eastern Piedmont, Vercelli, Italy.