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A cognitive ethology study of first- and third-person perspectives
Joseph D Chisholm1, Craig S Chapman2, Marvin Amm3
1Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Plos One
|March 28, 2014
Summary
This study validates the cognitive ethology approach by showing everyday perspectives align with lab findings. It reveals eye gaze as a key factor in understanding first-person and third-person perspectives.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive ethology
- Social cognition
- Psychology
Background:
- Cognitive ethology bridges everyday behaviors and controlled lab studies.
- First-person and third-person perspectives are complex and variously defined in research.
- Existing lab studies may capture only parts of a broader, multifaceted everyday understanding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the cognitive ethology approach by linking everyday and lab-based understanding of perspectives.
- To investigate the multifaceted nature of everyday first-person and third-person perspective.
- To identify novel factors influencing perspective-taking.
Main Methods:
- Applied a cognitive ethology approach to analyze everyday understanding of perspectives.
- Designed controlled lab investigations incorporating diverse everyday perspective concepts.
- Assessed the predictive accuracy of lab-based findings for real-world performance.
Main Results:
- Confirmed that everyday understanding of perspective is diverse yet reliable.
- Demonstrated that controlled lab studies can accurately predict real-world performance.
- Identified eye gaze (eye contact) as a significant social factor differentiating first-person and third-person perspectives.
Conclusions:
- The cognitive ethology approach is validated as a 'proof of concept'.
- Previous lab-based studies on perspective-taking are valid, each capturing a facet of a broader concept.
- Eye gaze is a novel, crucial element in understanding first-person and third-person perspectives.
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