Is The Mirror Test Just a Reflection of Human Nature?

The mirror test is supposed to be a way to figure out when an animal is self-aware, but there might be only one particular animal this test works well on: humans.

Check out the episode about fish intelligence over on the main SciShow channel:

Hosted by: Brit Garner & Stefan Chin
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[jerry]

We must continue to reflect on whether the tests we use are actually any good.

[Master_Therion]

The mirror test is something I can see myself passing...

[cheshiresparrowe]

I'm aware that there might be other reasons for it but it kinda looks like

Scientists: This test we made proves humans and primates are the only self-aware animals!
Other animals: *pass the test*
Scientists: Actually uh no that test didn't mean anything nevermind

[ThinkHuman]

Really interesting stuff and love the conclusion that you came to at the end, absolutely agree. Self awareness and consciousness are not either On or Off, but way more likely a spectrum.

[Bombay]

Since we are visually-oriented animals that are obsessed with grooming and modification (clothes -- they're super old) those are two huge confounds here, already addressed. But what about the fact that we have thumbs?

The logic used to refute the notion that puppies might recognize themselves here is that they bark at "another dog" in the mirror. But what if they stop barking, like most will? Perhaps it is more of a, "that's nice, it's me in the mirror...."

What can an animal do to prove it recognizes itself if we have anthropomorphically and anatomically engineered the test to benefit primates?

Also, this may be nothing more than trying and "passing" more and more animals as time goes on. Who''d have even thought to test a magpie in the '70s?

Maybe we are so vain. We probably think this test is about us.

[masterandexpert]

I actually liked more than one person talking. I don’t know why, but it was nice.

[UrvineSpiegel]

But what if they're just signing " Ey man, you got something on your face."

[mustardsfire]

Stefan standing around awkwardly for the first minute is me whenever I'm a wingman.

[gipple]

I loved the ending part of the video. 🧡 btw my dog used to bark at mirrors when he was a puppy, but now he recognise himself.

[GlitchedVision]

there's also the factor of people with visual impairments. they will never see themselves in a mirror and thus will be unable to pass the test yet many still have the sense of self referred to :) I'm one

[chromosome]

i appreciate the effort put on the intro

[metalheadmermaid]

Finally a new YouTube video that won't rot my brain

[marianaandrade]

I loved the interaction between both of you guys! Amaizing video! 🌿

[charlesevans]

I have been stuck here since the release of this video. I have been going back and forth from the recommended video on this video and the recommended video on the other video.

[sohopedeco]

Everytime we accidently run into a mirror, thinking a room was bigger than it actually is, we're failing the mirror test.

[a.g.]

@ 3:35 this is a surprisingly beautiful photograph.

[SuperExodian]

i think the mirror test might actually be more of an indicator for learning capability rather than raw intelligence, notice how the animals that pick it up the fastest are also some of the most adaptable, humans being the kings of adaptability.
but for example, there's a species of ant that has colonized every continent and they're definitely great at adapting to new food sources/predators/prey, even having learned some form of domestication with some insects and some farming methods with funghi, i believe.

[VariantAEC]

Sooo... You're saying the mirror test proves the limitations of human intelligence when it comes to designing tests?
I could've told you that.

[randygriffin]

I really enjoyed the collab between you two from one sci show to the other! I think it would be pretty cool to see more videos with you guys like this

[Kittsuera]

This is something I can reflect on during the day.