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Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device (ALDM) Test Systems
Published on: May 5, 2015
Chimpanzee minds: suspiciously human?
Daniel J. Povinelli1, Jennifer Vonk
1Cognitive Evolution Group University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 4401 W. Admiral Doyle Drive, 70560, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
Abstract:
Chimpanzees undoubtedly form concepts related to the statistical regularities in behavior. But do they also construe such abstractions in terms of mental states - that is, do they possess a 'theory of mind'? Although both anecdotal and experimental data have been marshaled to support this idea, we show that no explanatory power or economy of expression is gained by such an assumption. We suggest that additional experiments will be unhelpful as long as they continue to rely upon determining whether subjects interpret behavioral invariances in terms of mental states. We propose a paradigm shift to overcome this limitation.
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