True intelligence goes beyond sense of self

Humans learn very quickly that they are individuals — possessing a name, face, body, unique thoughts, feelings and experiences — and through the sum of these things, begin to ponder their existence, their purpose and to wonder about the meanings of things and about life itself.

Understanding the concept of “self” has long been thought of as uniquely human and the complexity of it as a mark of superior intelligence, separating humans from other animals.

Psychology and cognition scientists continually search throughout the animal world, however, for proof that creatures other than humans do possess self-awareness.

One of the basic tests performed to measure an animal’s self-awareness is aimed at determining if they recognize themselves. Created in 1970 by psychologist Gordon Gallup Jr., the mirror self-recognition test continues to be a standard in self-recognition studies.

Scientists conduct the test by placing a visible mark on the body of an animal and putting a mirror in front of them to observe their reaction. An animal “passes” the test if they touch or otherwise indicate they’re aware the mark is on their body.

Several species have passed the test — great apes, Asian elephants, bottle nose dolphins and orca whales.

Even non-mammals have passed the mirror recognition test. In a 2008 study, German researchers documented that the European magpie tried to clean markings from its feathers when it saw its reflection and in 2015, Belgian researchers found that ants also used the mirrors to try to groom away markings placed near their mouths.

Plenty of animals — even within the species that have passed — fail the mirror test, and researchers have come to believe relying solely on visual recognition doesn’t account for different ways animals use the senses.

For instance, in 2015, a Russian evolutionary biologist modified the mirror concept, creating what he called the “Sniff Test of Self Recognition.”

While dogs fail the mirror test, Roberto Cazzolla Gati found they ignore their own scent and study the scents of other dogs, indicating they have self-recognition, but it’s tied to smell, not sight.

Using another alternative to the mirror test, University of Cambridge researchers published findings in mid-April that indicate Asian elephants have a sense of self in problem solving, recognizing and adapting when their own bodies present an obstacle.

Elephants participating in the test were required to stand on a rubber mat and handed a stick that was tied to the mat. They were then instructed to pass the stick back to the person conducting the experiment.

Overwhelmingly — an average of 42 out of 48 times — the elephants stepped off the mat so they could pass the stick back.

Researchers noted that when given a similar test, children are not able to understand when their own bodies prevent them from completing the task until they reach about 2 years old.

Though the test seems simple, lead researcher Josh Plotnik stated its implications are profound, because it shows elephants understand they are separate from other objects and may have a more complex understanding of self and how they fit into their environment than we realize.

In all reality, the inability to get out of one’s own way can, and does, plague humans of all ages, be it standing on a shoe lace and wondering why the other foot won’t move, falling for a Chinese finger trap or any number of things humans do that are counterproductive to their goals.

Who knows, a sense of self may indicate intelligence, but elephants and other animals might just teach us that true intelligence lies in overcoming the self and getting things done.

Sharna Johnson is a writer who is always searching for ponies. You can reach her at: [email protected]