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# Does the Chimpanzee have a theory of mind?

## Details

**Authors** Premack and Woodruff

**Year** 1978

**Publisher** The Behavorial and Brain Sciences

**Discipline** Biology

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X00076512) 
10.1017/S0140525X00076512

## In authors' words

### Abstract

An individual has a theory of mind if he imputes mental states to himself and others. A system of inferences of this kind is properly viewed as a theory because such states are not directly observable, and the system can be used to make predictions about the behavior of others. As to the mental states the chimpanzee may infer, consider those inferred by our own species, for example, purpose or intention , as well as knowledge, belief, thinking, doubt, guessing, pretending, liking , and so forth. To determine whether or not the chimpanzee infers states of this kind, we showed an adult chimpanzee a series of videotaped scenes of a human actor struggling with a variety of problems. Some problems were simple, involving inaccessible food – bananas vertically or horizontally out of reach, behind a box, and so forth – as in the original Kohler problems; others were more complex, involving an actor unable to extricate himself from a locked cage, shivering because of a malfunctioning heater, or unable to play a phonograph because it was unplugged. With each videotape the chimpanzee was given several photographs, one a solution to the problem, such as a stick for the inaccessible bananas, a key for the locked up actor, a lit wick for the malfunctioning heater. The chimpanzee's consistent choice of the correct photographs can be understood by assuming that the animal recognized the videotape as representing a problem, understood the actor's purpose, and chose alternatives compatible with that purpose.

### What they set out to do (purpose)

To explore the possibility of chimpanzees having a theory of mind.

### What they found (results)

The chimpanzees consistently picked the card with the appropriate solution on it, which indicates that the chimpanzees were able to take another’s Perspective, understand the problem they face, and identify the needed solution.

## Commentary

### In short

Perspective-taking is not just a human cognitive process, but is potentially found throughout the animal kingdom as well.

### In more detail

Premack and Woodruff (1978) explored the possibility of chimpanzees having a theory of mind. In order to test this, they showed chimpanzees videos of humans experiencing problems. For example, the videos featured problems like food being out of reach, the actors being unable to get themselves out of a locked cage, the actors being cold due to a broken heater, and an actor not being able to use a phonograph

because it was unplugged. To see if the chimpanzees could take the Perspective of the actors in the videos, they were shown a few cards with photos on them, one of which had the solution to the problem on it (stick, key, lit match, etc). The chimpanzees consistently picked the card with the appropriate solution on it, which indicates that the chimpanzees were able to take another’s Perspective, understand the problem they face, and identify the needed solution. This is evidence that Perspective-taking is not just a human cognitive process, but is potentially found throughout the animal kingdom as well.

**Patterns it shows** P

**How to cite this** Premack and Woodruff (1978). Does the Chimpanzee have a theory of mind?. The Behavorial and Brain Sciences.