What is unique about shared reality? Insights from a new comparison species

Abstract

We introduce a new comparison species-domesticated dogs (Canis familaris)-that can shed light on the evolutionary origins of shared reality. Given that dogs share many basic building blocks of shared reality (e.g. representing others' perceptions, emotions, and behaviors) they provide an ideal species for pinpointing unique aspects of shared reality in humans. In particular, current research with dogs underscores two aspects of shared reality that may be special to humans. First, humans may be unique in our tendency to share reality involuntarily. Second, humans may be unique in the extent to which we share reality. Although both humans and dogs share reality in one-on-one interactions, only humans share reality at the more extensive group and cultural level.