Past and present challenges in theory of mind research in nonhuman primates

Josep Call*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

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.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationFROM ACTION TO COGNITION
EditorsC VonHofsten, K Rosander
Place of PublicationAMSTERDAM
PublisherElsevier Science BV
Pages341-353
Number of pages13
ISBN (Print)978-0-444-53016-5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007
EventConference on Brain Development and Cognition Human Infants - Maratea di Aquafredda, Italy
Duration: 1 Oct 20056 Oct 2005

Publication series

NamePROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH
PublisherELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Volume164
ISSN (Print)0079-6123

Conference

ConferenceConference on Brain Development and Cognition Human Infants
Country/TerritoryItaly
Period1/10/056/10/05

Keywords

  • mental attribution
  • comparative cognition
  • association
  • inferences
  • cognitive evolution
  • CHIMPANZEES PAN-TROGLODYTES
  • PONGO-PYGMAEUS
  • FALSE BELIEF
  • GREAT APES
  • VISUAL-PERCEPTION
  • GORILLA-GORILLA
  • SOCIAL-CONTEXT
  • OTHERS
  • CONSPECIFICS
  • ORIENTATION

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