Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes

Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes

Cognitive processes affect social behavior by guiding how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to social stimuli. These mental processes enable individuals to assess others' behaviors, attribute causes to their actions, and form expectations based on past experiences.Causes of Behavior and Social JudgmentsIndividuals determine the causes of others' behaviors by distinguishing between personal traits and external circumstances. For example, if a friend frequently arrives late, an...

Cognition and Behavior

Cognition and Behavior

Social psychology examines the complex interplay between individual mental processes and social interactions. Historically, the field was divided into two domains: social behavior and social cognition. Researchers focusing on social behavior analyzed actions within social contexts, such as conformity, aggression, or cooperation. Meanwhile, social cognition researchers investigated how people perceive, interpret, and mentally represent their social environments. However, modern perspectives no...

Lazarus's Cognitive Appraisal Theory

Lazarus's Cognitive Appraisal Theory

Cognitive psychologist Richard Lazarus proposed the cognitive-mediational theory of emotions, which emphasizes how individuals' assessments of stressors significantly affect their experience of stress. According to Lazarus, the stress response is determined by a two-step appraisal process: primary appraisal and secondary appraisal. These cognitive appraisals help individuals evaluate the potential impact of a stressor and determine the adequacy of their coping resources.
Primary Appraisal:...

Metacognition

Metacognition

Metacognition is a conscious process where individuals are aware of their cognitive and executive processes, such as planning before solving a problem or self-monitoring during reading. For instance, a writer may need help with composing a piece. The situation involves a writer who is working on a piece of writing, but while doing so, they realize that something is missing. They notice that their characters lack depth or details. This realization occurs because the writer is reflecting on their...

Introducing Social Perception

Introducing Social Perception

Perceiving others accurately is fundamental to effective communication and relationship-building. Social perception, a key concept in social psychology, refers to the cognitive processes through which individuals gather and interpret information about others to understand their actions, intentions, and motivations. This process extends beyond spoken words and overt behaviors, incorporating subtle nonverbal cues and contextual factors.Nonverbal Cues and Their SignificanceNonverbal cues play a...

Nonconscious Mimicry

Nonconscious Mimicry

Nonconscious mimicry occurs when individuals alter their mannerisms to match the behaviors and expressions of those nearby, without intention.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Subtle differences in family size mediate object play in young ravens (Corvus corax).

Communications biology·2026

Same author

Animal empathy reconsidered: a multidimensional profile account.

Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·2026

Same author

Fluctuations in direct human presence, not predictable weekly cycles, influence avoidance behaviour in ravens.

Movement ecology·2026

Same author

EVApeCognition: An 18-Year Dataset of Great Ape Cognition.

Scientific data·2026

Same author

Spatio-temporal patterns of juvenile common ravens integrating into a free-flying non-breeder flock.

iScience·2026

Same author

Associations between gut microbiota and personality traits: insights from a captive common marmoset (<i>Callithrix jacchus</i>) colony.

Microbiology spectrum·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 14, 2026

Testing for Metacognitive Responding Using an Odor-based Delayed Match-to-Sample Test in Rats

Testing for Metacognitive Responding Using an Odor-based Delayed Match-to-Sample Test in Rats

Published on: June 18, 2018

Social cognition in ravens.

Thomas Bugnyar¹

¹University of Vienna, Austria.

Comparative Cognition & Behavior Reviews

|April 21, 2015

Summary

Complex social interactions in non-breeding ravens (Corvus corax) demonstrate sophisticated cognitive skills. Ravens use social bonds and Machiavellian tactics, challenging theories on cognitive evolution across species.

Area of Science:

Cognitive Ecology
Animal Behavior
Evolutionary Psychology

Background:

Complex sociality is a proposed driver for advanced cognitive evolution in animals.
Research has predominantly focused on mammals, with limited investigation into avian species.
Birds present unique social structures, including flexible group dynamics and pair-bonding.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate sophisticated social interactions in non-breeding ravens (Corvus corax).
To assess the role of cognitive abilities in raven social behavior, particularly during foraging and conflict resolution.
To evaluate ravens as a model species for understanding the evolution of social cognition.

Main Methods:

Observational studies of non-breeding ravens in naturalistic settings.

Keywords:

Corvus corax conflict management food caching and pilfering perspective taking ravens social bond

More Related Videos

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device ALDM Test Systems

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device ALDM Test Systems

Published on: May 5, 2015

A Modified Mirror Test as a Visual Guide for the Self-awareness Trait in Wild Antarctica Penguins, Pygoscelis adeliae

A Modified Mirror Test as a Visual Guide for the Self-awareness Trait in Wild Antarctica Penguins, Pygoscelis adeliae

Published on: July 8, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 14, 2026

Testing for Metacognitive Responding Using an Odor-based Delayed Match-to-Sample Test in Rats

Testing for Metacognitive Responding Using an Odor-based Delayed Match-to-Sample Test in Rats

Published on: June 18, 2018

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device ALDM Test Systems

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device ALDM Test Systems

Published on: May 5, 2015

A Modified Mirror Test as a Visual Guide for the Self-awareness Trait in Wild Antarctica Penguins, Pygoscelis adeliae

A Modified Mirror Test as a Visual Guide for the Self-awareness Trait in Wild Antarctica Penguins, Pygoscelis adeliae

Published on: July 8, 2025

Analysis of social interactions during foraging tasks and conflict management scenarios.

Assessment of social bond formation and utilization in daily interactions.

Main Results:

Non-breeding ravens exhibit complex social interactions, including Machiavellian-like tactics in food competition.
The formation and maintenance of social bonds are crucial for navigating daily social life.
Ravens display advanced social cognition irrespective of phylogenetic background.

Conclusions:

Ravens demonstrate sophisticated social cognition, supporting the link between social complexity and cognitive evolution.
Social bonds play a significant role in the daily social dynamics of ravens.
Ravens offer a valuable model for studying the independent evolution of complex social cognition.