Apes May Intuitively "Read Minds" Like Humans, Study Finds (International Edition)

Monkeys might be more intelligent than we realize and have an innate ability to 'understand intentions' similar to humans.

Grasping what another person knows involves a complex capability that young humans typically start developing around their third year of life.

Researchers have dedicated nearly half a century to finding evidence that various species, ranging from chimpanzees to ravens, possess this ability; however, numerous experts remain unconvinced.

Currently, scientists possess compelling proof that bonobos genuinely have the ability to understand human thoughts and utilize this insight to interact effectively in pursuit of a delicious reward.

Three bonobos — Kanzi, who is 43 years old, Nyota, who is 25, and Teco, at 13, their friendship blossoms at a research center located in Iowa - collaborated with a researcher to obtain half a grape, a piece of apple, a peanut, or some Cheerios.

A second individual placed the food beneath one of three cups, after which, upon discovering it, the researcher would hand the item over to the bonobo across from them.

Nevertheless, at times the researcher remained unaware of the location of the delightful snack, as a sizable cardboard obstacle obstructed their view.

The apes were able to tell when the researcher hadn't witnessed the cup being placed over the food.

However, it requires a significant intellectual leap to grasp that this indicated the researcher was unaware in their mind about the location of the food.

It was evident that the apes had 'read his mind' because of the additional efforts they put into helping him locate the food after he hadn’t witnessed where it was concealed.

When the researcher was unaware of the location, they were 29 percent more inclined to indicate the cup hiding the food. In this scenario, their response time was approximately 1.5 seconds quicker compared to when the researcher knew the location.

Dr. Chris Krupenye, who co-authored the study and serves as an associate professor of psychological and brain sciences at Johns Hopkins University, commented: "Being able to recognize when others lack information crucial for mutual understanding lies at the core of our advanced social interactions, essential for collaboration, communication, and collaborative strategic efforts."

‘Because this so-called theory of mind supports many of the capacities that make humans unique, like teaching and language, many believe it is absent from animals.

'However, this research highlights the profound cognitive bases that both humans and other primates possess, indicating that these capabilities emerged millions of years ago in our shared predecessors.'

Earlier, chimpanzees were believed to understand the mental state of others as they produce more warning calls regarding a neighboring snake when the other chimps haven't noticed it.

However, some specialists remained doubtful, since the chimpanzees might have screamed out of fear instead of to warn others.

The research demonstrated that apes have the ability to simultaneously retain two concepts: knowing where certain food is concealed under a cup and recognizing another individual's lack of awareness about this location. They can also convey this information.

The research was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.