Open Peer Commentary Heyes, C. M.: Theory of mind in nonhuman primates
Assessing theory of mind with nonverbal procedures: Problems with training methods and an alternative “key” procedure
Juan Carlos Gómez a1 a1 School of Psychology, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews KY16 9JU, United Kingdom
jg5@st-andrews.ac.uk
Abstract
This commentary criticizes nonverbal methods of assessing
theory-of-mind on the basis of prior training of the critical response
because they would encourage simple, nonmentalistic, associative
solutions even in subjects with mentalistic capacities. I propose
instead a new experimental paradigm based upon the use of spontaneous
responses in less artificial situations. This method has already
provided positive evidence of some level of ToM understanding in
nonhuman primates.
