Self Awareness in Asian Elephants

Self Awareness in Elephants

Theory of Mind in a topic that is still being actively debated in animals today. Some argue that it is a trait that is solely present in humans while some argue that there are examples of theory of mind being displayed in animals. But just what would be define as theory of mind in animals being? The Animal Cognition textbook defines it as being any animal that believes that mental states play a role significant part in the animals behavior and understands the mental states of other animals or humans by observing their actions and behavior in certain circumstances (Udell & Wynne, 2013). 

In the following video asian elephants are giving the mirror test to determine whether or not they posses "theory of mind". The asian elephants are able to complete the mirror task with hardly any trouble and as a result they display theory of mind. However not all animals have been able to display theory of mind. In fact only a handful of species have been known to show theory of mind and they include humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans, dolphins, asian elephants and magpies. 

However even though that this video confirms that some animals are able to display theory of mind, does this mean that all animals are capable of theory of mind. Most likely not all animals are advanced enough to display theory of mind but there are still likely others animals that display theory of mind and have yet to be tested and confirmed. Another question this video brings up is whether or not this test or even our definition of theory of is sufficient enough to be used as a  basis when testing animals. Our definition of theory of mind might not be a fair bases to use in that it is extremely biased. By coming up with our own list of requirement before an animal is determined to display theory of mind we are subconsciously assuming that a display of theory in mind in animals would be required to be the exact same as theory in mind in humans. But there might be instances in which animals actually posses theory of mind but in such a foreign way that we are unable to test or recognize it as in fact being theory of mind. Another problem with the video is that the test could prove to be unfair in its testing with animals in that it may not prove to be as affected of a test in one animal as opposed to another, so there would need to be changes in the test in order to accurately test for theory of mind in all animals. Otherwise there might be animals that based on the test are determined to lack theory of mind when in fact they do posses theory of mind. 

Overall theory of mind in animals is a significant topic that should continues being debated actively. However researchers must consider the risks involved when comparing a characteristic of the human mind to animals in that there is a risk of there being biases even if its subconscious. Another obstacle researchers will have to consider is having a way to test theory of mind in animals in a way so that there is an equal opportunity given to each species. 

References:

Udell, A. R, M, Wynne, D. L., C. (2013). Animal Cognition: Evolution, Behavior & Cognition.

New York, NY: Palgrove Macmillan.

(2015, January 11). Retrieved November 19, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EjukzL-bJc&t=4s