Tracking responses related to self-recognition: a frequency comparison of responses to mirrors, photographs, and videotapes by cotton top tamanins (Saguinus oedipus)

J Comp Psychol. 2001 Dec;115(4):432-8.

Abstract

The frequency of responses cotton top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) emitted indicative of self-recognition to a mirror was compared with the frequencies of responses emitted to digitized photographs of tamarins (Experiment 1) and to videotapes of real-time or prior tamarin action (Experiment 2). Results indicated more attentional responses toward the mirror in both studies, but behavioral indices of self-recognition were not consistently generated by the mirror. The 2 experiments confirmed that real-time self-reflection is a condition that generates heightened attention and rare examples of particular mirror-specific behaviors in tamarins.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Attention*
  • Discrimination Learning
  • Female
  • Male
  • Photography*
  • Saguinus / psychology*
  • Videotape Recording*
  • Visual Perception*