Archives - Psychology: Page 29
Author: amparo enriquez (Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:18 pm)
Title: Theory of Mind
For a long time scientist thought only humans were capable of experiencing empathy. We were the only ones that could put themselves in someone else’s shoes. This capacity of understanding other peoples point of view as well as their feelings is called “Theory of Mind”. However it appears now that ravens, dogs bonobos and chimpanzees are capable of this feat (within degrees).
We can not claim that this skill is only ours anymore, animals share with us social mental abilities that show a continuum in evolution rather than a radical jump. These animals also probably experience basic consciousness although obviously they lack autobiographical consciousness.