Abstract

JAKOVCEVIC, Adriana; IRRAZABAL, Marcos  and  BENTOSELA, Mariana. Social cognition in animals and humans: Is it possible to establish a continuum?. Suma Psicol. [online]. 2011, vol.18, n.1, pp.35-46. ISSN 0121-4381.

The aim of the present study is to analyze comparative studies about social cognition in various species, particularly in children, chimpanzees and dogs. While the first two species are closely related, dogs, unlike chimpanzees, live in a human context and share a similar environment to that experienced by children during their development. In this line, we analyze the main tasks used to evaluate theory of mind related skills, such as gaze following, the recognition of others' attentional state and visual perspective taking, the relation between seeing and knowing and the understanding of others' false beliefs. When comparing the cognitive abilities of different species, it is necessary to homologate the experimental tasks taking into account species specific characteristics. These comparisons allow determining to what extent these skills are uniquely human. The evidence reviewed here suggests a continuum in the experimental procedures used as in the evaluated skills, except for the comprehension of false belief. However, the continuity of the mechanisms involved in social cognition is still debated.

Keywords : social cognition; comparative psychology; theory of mind.

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