Anecdotes, training, trapping and triangulating: do animals attribute mental states?
Article Abstract:
There is no clear evidence that animals can attribute mental states, or hold beliefs about other animals, and none of three techniques currently used, trapping, anecdotes or training in conditional discrimination, are likely to be helpful in finding evidence of these states. It is possible that such evidence could be found through conditional discrimination combined with subsequent transfer testing, using triangulation procedures. The influence of inferential learning about interactants has sometimes been ignored, while the link between behaviorism and attribution of mental states has been misunderstood, and these are among the factors which have hindered progress in understanding this issue.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1993
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Self-recognition in primates: further reflections create a hall of mirrors
Article Abstract:
Gallup et al make a convincing but unsuccessful argument in support of primate self-recognition. Despite the mass of studies and experiments on the matter, the fact remains that there is yet no convincing evidence of self-recognition or mirror-guided body inspection in animals. The arguments cited by proponents of primate self-recognition are based on poorly-designed experiments, unreliable measurements, false inferences and anecdotal observations.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1995
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Self-recognition in primates: irreverence, irrelevance and irony
Article Abstract:
Mitchell's criticisms of the self-recognition theory relies on his unfounded belief that looking is an observable property of behavior. Looking does not mean seeing or using information from the object. The two explanations for self-recognition are not contradictory, as each hypothesis has distinct targets. Neither of the hypotheses describes the explanation for mirror self-recognition. The anaesthetic hypothesis is defended, stating reasons.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1996
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