ABSTRACT
Another approach however may be to revise fundamental theoretical concepts in the light of the new evidence, so that what is valuable may be retained while misconceptions are corrected. The latter approach is beginning to find expression in recent literature (e.g. Morss, 1983; Cox, 1985) and a plea for the general utility of the concept of egocentrism has already been made elsewhere (Butterworth, 1980, 1983). The aim here will be to extend our understanding of this basic concept by examining evidence on perception and cognition in very young infants that may throw light on the adaptive function of egocentrism, both for the development of self-awareness and in social cognition.
