Infants' development of self-awareness to be explored with major grant

Understanding human self-awareness is one of the most challenging questions about the human mind.

‘We humans have a unique ability to think about ourselves. It is a defining characteristic of human consciousness that can lead to both well-being and suffering,’ says Victoria Southgate, Professor at the Department of Psychology.

In the new project ‘Becoming me: how does the developing brain construct a self?’ she and research colleagues will explore the early developmental roots of this ability. The Carlsberg Foundation is supporting the research with DKK 22.4 million in the form of a Semper Ardens Advance grant.

‘We will test a new theory about how infants’ rapidly developing brains can create self-awareness through the rich communicative interactions they have with their carers,’ says Victoria Southgate.

Can have major consequences

According to the theory, being the focus of others’ attention can change infants' awareness of their internal states and lay the foundation for an abstract sense of self.

By studying the development of self-awareness as it emerges, the researchers hope to shed light on the mechanisms involved in its construction and show how it can emerge from minimal beginnings.

‘This project has the potential to revolutionise our understanding of self-awareness by telling us how it develops and could have far-reaching implications for both health and psychology,’ says Victoria Southgate.

‘We will use longitudinal studies of Danish infants and studies in other cultures where infants‘ experiences of social interaction vary,’ says Victoria Southgate.

The project includes an international collaboration with researchers from Japan and Vanuatu, which will provide a unique opportunity to explore how cultural differences in parenting contribute to the development of self-awareness.

‘The cross-cultural perspective is crucial to understanding how different social environments can affect infant development,’ emphasises Victoria Southgate.

In the project, she and the other researchers will utilise modern 21st century methods to address this ancient problem. The researchers will use EEG, fNIRS and MRI to measure, among other things, infants' heart rate sensitivity and its relationship with developing self-awareness.

The grant covers the period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2030.