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Future Thinking: Children But Not Apes Consider Multiple Possibilities
Amanda M Seed1, Katherine L Dickerson1
1University of St Andrews, School of Psychology & Neuroscience, St Mary's Quad, South Street, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JP, Scotland, UK.
Abstract:
When anticipating the future, we draw on our past experience but must take uncertainty into account; for example, while preparing for a trip, we might pack a raincoat and sunglasses because of unpredictable weather. New research shows that the ability to plan for multiple future possibilities may be present in human children from as early as 3-4 years of age, but appears to be lacking in non-human apes.
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