Morgan BellLost Dog: Have You Checked The Mirror?
June 16th 2009 11:35
Charles Darwin once made observations about how animals react to seeing their own reflection in a mirror.
It was a test of self-awareness and self-recognition.
The "mirror test" has since been expanded on and scientists have discovered only nine animals (including humans) are able to recognise themselves when a mirror is held up in front of them.
All of the great apes (bonobos, chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas, and humans) pass the test, however human babies only develop the skills to pass the test after they are about 18 months old.
Other animals capable of passing the test are bottlenose dolphins, killer whales, elephants, and European magpies.
Dogs and young human babies fail the mirror test. They are not self-aware.
If a dog or a human baby has a blemish on them, even if you hold a mirror right in front of their face they will not see that the imperfection is part of them. They will look at the mirror and think the mark is on the figure on the other side of the glass.
If you lose a dog (or a human baby) and you put their face on posters around the neighbourhood, or on TV, they will not recognise themselves. They can not identify their own image. Dogs will never pass the mirror test, but human babies learn to as they mature.
Adult humans who have been blind from birth but have their sight restored initially react as if their reflection in the mirror was another person. They have no visual self-awareness until they learn to develop it.
I think there is a lesson about the value of self-examination in this for us all.
It was a test of self-awareness and self-recognition.
The "mirror test" has since been expanded on and scientists have discovered only nine animals (including humans) are able to recognise themselves when a mirror is held up in front of them.
All of the great apes (bonobos, chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas, and humans) pass the test, however human babies only develop the skills to pass the test after they are about 18 months old.
Other animals capable of passing the test are bottlenose dolphins, killer whales, elephants, and European magpies.
Dogs and young human babies fail the mirror test. They are not self-aware.
If a dog or a human baby has a blemish on them, even if you hold a mirror right in front of their face they will not see that the imperfection is part of them. They will look at the mirror and think the mark is on the figure on the other side of the glass.
If you lose a dog (or a human baby) and you put their face on posters around the neighbourhood, or on TV, they will not recognise themselves. They can not identify their own image. Dogs will never pass the mirror test, but human babies learn to as they mature.
Adult humans who have been blind from birth but have their sight restored initially react as if their reflection in the mirror was another person. They have no visual self-awareness until they learn to develop it.
I think there is a lesson about the value of self-examination in this for us all.
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Comment by Janet Collins
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He always thought these photos were very much to their likeness but obviously he was alone
We all just can't recognise outselves.
Comment by Mau-Medellin
Mau-Medellin
This was an interesting article in deed. I wonder, if perhaps I were to give some things away to those less fortunate, maybe god would give my dog the ability to recognise herself in the mirror.
Certainly this would be an asset many dogs could benefit from; one pug dog in particular needs to take a good long hard look at her face in the mirror!
Mau-Medellin
Comment by Morgan Bell
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humans are funny creatures, how funny that we can struggle to recognise photos of ourselves, the same face you look at in the mirror everyday
makes me think of people who suffer from body dysmorphia or varying degrees of skewed body image
there often is a gaping chasm between seeing and perceiving
thanks for sharing that story
hi Mau,
arent you gay? i didnt think the RSPCA allowed you guys to adopt dogs or human babies
Comment by Mau-Medellin
Mau-Medellin
My sexuality is of no relevance to you, and your clansmen. So why don't you go and reflect on that rude statements whilst waiting for a Taxi!
Oh and while I'm on this little rant, how about going to the dentist and see what can be done about those horse teeth of yours... it's one thing to be a frumpy lass, but I really think the hole Mr. Ed love-child thing is a bit much.
Mau-Medellin
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i like your new blog about Swan Flue . . . its your best work yet!
i cant even think straight . . .
i wish i could find a bigger smiley face (with more teeth)
Comment by Mau-Medellin
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Deep Pencil does not endorse all comments placed on its site but allows them to be displayed in the interests of Freedom of Speech.
From: 'Notes From the Gay Agenda':
I happen to find your post highly amusing.
Checkmate.
Imagine for a moment you are in a classroom of young children. And the subject is human nature, or the body. And the teacher asks a really naughty question like, why did God give us mirrors. Can you imagine innocent little boys saying, So I can see my own reflection?
Well it's coming to that. It will be taught in schools soon if this rot keeps up. Except the question won't be Why did God give us mirrors. It will be Why did the big bang give us dogs. Dogs see mirrors as a natural objects. I can't see anything natural about it. Stringing along desperate women seems a natural act. I like women that can backflip on their own opinions within the space of a few months just for the chance at some Eunuch loving.
I'll leave dogs to their own de(vices). I am yet to meet a dog with any powers of true logic or reasoning at all. That's not vilification. I haven't met them all. And don't want to if the ones I have met are an indication of that community lack of ability to think clearly.
I do not feel the need to speak out against humans adopting dogs. And I haven't done so here. I do not want heavily mirrored buildings being forced into accepting dogs into their foyer. So what?
My self-awareness may have changed, but at least I am not stuck in a time warp where the views I formulated earlier this year are stuck to me like some kind of sticky paper. I like to continuously challenge myself with inconsistancy.
Basically I am trying to prove some sort of point because I spoke out favourably about mirrors once, so therefore I must be constantly act like a dog.
Sickness and mania are just low brow tactics. Learn from the boy who cried wolf, a dingo may eat your baby.
Dogs should choose to follow their consciences rather than following the laws of the day. After all dogs are not people, and people are not babies.
Checkmate.
Game over check mate.
The dog community just blew their entire credibility.
They may bluster all they like from now on.
Checkmate.
They are all woof.
The Purge continues.
Checkmate.
I think.
The Ethiopian Eunuch
Comment by Earl Leonard
Earlsthoughts
Also, Is that 18 month thing for babies an average rather than a definitive? It seems like my son has known his own reflection is just that, for over a month or so now, and he's a couple of weeks shy of 18 months still. I could be wrong, but he used to point and go `bub' but now he goes `Jabber' (his names Jasper) and he put a bowl on his head yesterday, then ran to the mirror in our bedroom to look, and laughed at the `boll-hat' (it was pretty funny). So yeah, is there deviation in that figure the same way there is for language/motor skills?
Interesting post either way.
Comment by RubySoho
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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i think i have the solution:
Comment by Morgan Bell
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the elephant was the Asian elephant, i dont know if anyone has tested the two African species (Bush and Forest) yet . . . i think theres only nine species we know of so far
it sounds to me like Jasper definitely passes the mirror test, id say 18 months is a general guide based on averages
heres some more info:
Really Long Link
Comment by Morgan Bell
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you trained me well as your lapdog and sycophant
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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no, apparently cats do not pass the mirror test either
my parents have a mirrored sliding door cupboard at the end of a hallway in their house, whenever a new cat is in their home (like my cat when i moved in, or new kittens) they always approach the mirror with trepidation like they think it is another animal
sometimes cats will look behind mirrors to see where the other animal is
Comment by Jason King
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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animal behaviour is most fascinating!