Theory of Mind in Non-Human Animals

Theory of mind, the ability to understand others by ascribing mental states to them, has historically been considered a uniquely human characteristic. But are we really the only animals to possess this level of social intelligence?

In this episode of OxPods, Alex Rodway, a biology master’s student at Jesus College, interviews Dr Natasha Gillies, a Stipendiary Lecturer at Merton College, who has studied animal behaviour and population ecology throughout her academic career, about the existence of ‘theory of mind’ in non-human animals.