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Past and present challenges in theory of mind research in nonhuman primates
1Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany. call@eva.mpg.de
Abstract:
This paper presents the trajectory of theory of mind research in nonhuman primates, with a special focus on chimpanzees as they have been the most intensely studied species. It analyzes the main developments in the field, the critiques that they raised, the responses that they have generated and the current challenges faced by the field. Currently, the most plausible working hypothesis is that at least chimpanzees know what others can and cannot see. Using tasks with a high ecological validity and mapping out key concepts such association and inference are postulated as fundamental steps to further advance our knowledge in this area.
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