In a previous cross-sectional study of mirror self-recognition involving 92 chimpanzees, Povinelli et al. [Journal of Comparative Psychology 107 (1993) 347] reported a peak in the proportion of animals exhibiting self-recognition in the adolescent/young adult sample (8-15 years), with 75% being classified as positive. In contrast, only 26% of the older animals (16-39 years) were classified as positive, suggesting a marked decline in self-recognition in middle to late adulthood. In the present study, all of the chimpanzees from the 8-15-year-old group in the Povinelli et al. study (n=12) were again tested for self-recognition, 8 years later. Using the same criteria, 67% of the animals were classified the same. Although a higher proportion of the adult animals in this study (50%) exhibited self-recognition than would be inferred on the basis of the previous study (25%), all changes in self-recognition status were in the negative direction. These results show that mirror self-recognition is a highly stable trait in many chimpanzees, but may be subject to decline with age. Connections with human research are briefly discussed.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0028-3932(02)00153-7 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Wild recognition: conducting the mark test for mirror self-recognition on wild baboons.
Proc Biol Sci
January 2025
Department of Anthropology, University College London, London, UK.
The distribution of self-awareness across species is important to understand, not only as a matter of scientific interest but also because of its implications for the ethical standing of non-human animals. The prevailing methodology for determining self-awareness is to test for visual self-recognition using mirror-image stimulation and a 'mark test'. However, most studies have involved very small sample sizes, omitted a control condition and been conducted on captive animals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSelf /other recognition and distinction in adolescents with anorexia nervosa: A pilot study using a double mirror paradigm.
PLoS One
January 2025
Professeur Honoraire au Collège de France, Paris, France.
Background: Abnormalities in body perception in patients affected by anorexia nervosa have been widely studied, but without explicit reference to their relationship to others and the social processes involved. Yet, there are a several arguments supporting impairments in interpersonal relationships in these patients. Notably, some evidence suggests that self/other distinction (SOD), the ability to distinguish one's own body, actions and mental representations from those of others could be impaired.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSelf-face processing in relation to self-referential tasks in 24-month-old infants: A study through eye movements and pupillometry measures.
Conscious Cogn
January 2025
Faculty of Human-Environment Studies, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
The aim of the current study was to investigate visual scan patterns for the self-face in infants with the ability to recognize themselves with a photograph. 24-month-old infants (N = 32) were presented with faces including the self-face in the upright or inverted orientation. We also measured infants' ability to recognize oneself in a mirror and with a photograph.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe ability of teleost fishes to recognize individual faces suggests an early evolutionary origin in vertebrates.
Front Psychol
November 2024
Laboratory of Animal Sociology, Department of Biology, Graduate School of Sciences, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan.
The face is the most important area on the human body for visually differentiating between individuals. When encountering another person, humans initially gaze at and perceive the face holistically, utilizing relational information and specific neural systems. Information such as identity and emotional state are then obtained from the face by distinguishing between small inter-individual differences, i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExploring the Neural Mechanisms of Mirrored-Self Misidentification in Alzheimer's Disease.
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry
October 2024
Clinical College of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates mirror-self misidentification syndrome (MSM) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI to understand its underlying neural mechanisms.
- It involved 48 AD patients, analyzing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and finding significant differences in certain brain areas between those with and without MSM.
- Results indicated that increased BBB permeability in the left putamen and globus pallidus may be risk factors for MSM, with more severe cases showing greater changes in brain regions than mild cases.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!