Philippe Rochat

Philippe Rochat

Philippe Rochat (1953-2015) was a renowned Swiss psychologist known for his significant contributions to the field of developmental psychology. His work primarily focused on the development of self-awareness and social cognition in infants and young children.

Early Life and Education

Rochat was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1953. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Geneva, where he was deeply influenced by the work of Jean Piaget, a pioneer in the field of child psychology. Rochat went on to earn his Ph.D. from the University of Geneva in 1984.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Rochat moved to the United States to work as a postdoctoral fellow at Brown University. He later joined the faculty at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served as a professor of psychology until his death in 2015.

At Emory, Rochat established the Infant and Child Lab, where he conducted groundbreaking research on infant cognition and development. His work has been instrumental in shaping our understanding of how children develop a sense of self and awareness of others.

Research and Contributions

Rochat's research focused on several key areas in developmental psychology. He is perhaps best known for his work on self-awareness in infants, which he explored through studies on mirror self-recognition and the emergence of self-concept in children.

In addition to his work on self-awareness, Rochat also conducted significant research on social cognition in infants. He examined how infants understand social interactions and how they develop an understanding of other people's perspectives.

Legacy

Rochat's contributions to the field of developmental psychology have had a lasting impact. His research has not only advanced our understanding of child development but has also influenced the work of many other researchers in the field.

Publications

Rochat authored numerous articles and books throughout his career. Some of his most notable publications include "Others in Mind: Social Origins of Self-Consciousness" and "Early Social Cognition: Understanding Others in the First Months of Life."

See Also

• Developmental Psychology
• Jean Piaget
• Social Cognition

References

This article is based on publicly available information and does not contain any original research. Please refer to the appropriate academic or professional sources for more detailed information on Philippe Rochat's life and work.