Self-Recognition

Self-Recognition

1. Definition

   • The ability to recognize oneself (i.e. knowing that it is you!)
   • Self-Directed Behaviours emitted in front of a mirror; passing the mark test; identifying an image of the self as the self.

2. What has been argued about animals and SR

   • Gallup & Keenan
   • Primates possess SA because:
     • The exhibit MSR
     • They can make inferences about other's mental states (ToM)
   • The RIGHT hemisphere of the human brain represents the neurological seat of SA because MSR & ToM tasks typically increase activity in the right hemisphere

3. Problems w/MSR

   • MSR should not be equated with genuine SA
   • ToM & SA are relatively independent and should not be equated
   • MSR tasks also activate the medial & left brain areas (left hemisphere)
     • Same w/ToM
     • Same when doing a lot of other SA tasks
     • Inner speech is strongly linked to SA and that is in the left hemisphere

4. THEREFORE (Conclusions about MSR & SA)

   • Primates do not possess full-blown introspective SA
   • SA is most probably located in BOTH hemispheres of the brain

5. Questions about SA and SR from Class

   • Blind-Folded Chimps
     • A study was done that blindfolded chimps to see if they would know what it was like too be blind
       • They then blindfolded one person and expected the chimp to go to the unblindfolded person because if they had ToM they would know not to go to the blindfolded person.
         • It's actually random though. The chimps went to either person at random. They don't have ToM
   • Dogs & SA
     • Food Preference? Does this not indicate SA?
     • Dogs have a unique physiology, they may still have rich emotional, and mental experiences BUT that does not mean that they know about them.
     • Cones on Dogs argument - we have to put it on them because they do not know that licking is bad
     • We have to ignore our our ToM when it says that dogs are thinking or feeling a certain way
   • Why is it argued that animals have SA?
     • SA is on a continuum, anthropomorphism is a strong argument