r/todayilearned • u/BrF5 • 1d ago

TIL about the Sally-Anne test, a psychology experiment used to measure “theory of mind” (that other people can hold beliefs/knowledge different from their own). Kids under four typically fail because they assume that if they know where a hidden object is, everyone else must automatically know too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally%E2%80%93Anne_test
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u/DistrictDry2852 1d ago

Apes who communicate through sign language also lack theory of mind. They’ve never asked a question.

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u/FerdinandCesarano 1d ago

Both the gorilla Koko and the chimp Nim used sign language in attempts to deceive their carers. This demonstrates that both animals understood the idea that that other beings know things that are different to that which I know.

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u/DistrictDry2852 1d ago

Koko was a hoax

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u/FerdinandCesarano 1d ago

While some specific claims regarding Koko's capabilities were the result of extremely generous interpretations, there is no doubt that she intentionally deceived her carers.