Development of knowledge about self The dawning of an understanding of one’s own existence

Mirror-self recognition Becoming aware that you are an agent of your own action: Becoming aware that you are an agent of your own action: How do you know that the individual in the mirror is you? How do you know that the individual in the mirror is you? Is there an important difference between seeing a reflection of yourself and seeing a video recording of yourself? (Povinelli et al., 1996) Is there an important difference between seeing a reflection of yourself and seeing a video recording of yourself? (Povinelli et al., 1996) Are you frightened of your shadow? Are you frightened of your shadow? Develops in children from about the age of 18 months Develops in children from about the age of 18 months Develops in chimps from about the age of 8 years Develops in chimps from about the age of 8 years Evident only in some primate species Evident only in some primate species

Heyes critique 1. Apparent mirror-self recognition in apes is an artifact of anaesthesia. 1. Apparent mirror-self recognition in apes is an artifact of anaesthesia. 2. Being able to recognize oneself does not imply the existence of a self concept. It does imply a concept of agency, but all mobile non-humans must possess this anyway given that they avoid collisions when moving about the world. 2. Being able to recognize oneself does not imply the existence of a self concept. It does imply a concept of agency, but all mobile non-humans must possess this anyway given that they avoid collisions when moving about the world.

Gallup’s response 1. Some studies don’t involve anaesthetic. 1. Some studies don’t involve anaesthetic. 2. Apes with a mark selectively touch the zone that is marked. Those without a mark do not selectively touch the same zone. 2. Apes with a mark selectively touch the zone that is marked. Those without a mark do not selectively touch the same zone. 3. Passing the mark test is species specific. 3. Passing the mark test is species specific. 4. Passing the mark test is linked with chronological age in chimps. It is usually achieved by age Passing the mark test is linked with chronological age in chimps. It is usually achieved by age Passing the mark test is necessary but not sufficient for judgments of ignorance in children and in apes. 5. Passing the mark test is necessary but not sufficient for judgments of ignorance in children and in apes.

Subtle changes in human development: shift from focus on physical aspects of self to psychological Rosenberg (1967). Say 10 things about yourself in answer to the question, “Who am I?” Rosenberg (1967). Say 10 things about yourself in answer to the question, “Who am I?” Children aged around 10 years focus on their physical qualities. Adolescents are more likely to mention aspects of their relationships with others, their character and their inner feelings. Children aged around 10 years focus on their physical qualities. Adolescents are more likely to mention aspects of their relationships with others, their character and their inner feelings. “If I asked you and your mother how good you were, and you said one thing and she said another, who would be right?” “If I asked you and your mother how good you were, and you said one thing and she said another, who would be right?” –70% of 10 yr olds said their mother would be right –60% of 15 yr olds said they would be right

Locus of self knowledge Burton & Mitchell (2003) Interior category Interior category Who knows best what your secrets are? Who knows best what your secrets are? Who knows best what games Tommy likes? Who knows best what games Tommy likes? Who knows best what you want to be when you grow up? Who knows best what you want to be when you grow up? When Beth cries, who knows best what is wrong? When Beth cries, who knows best what is wrong? Who knows best what your favorite food is? Who knows best what your favorite food is? Who knows best when Tommy is feeling hungry? Who knows best when Tommy is feeling hungry? Exterior category Exterior category Who knows best how good you are at sums? Who knows best how good you are at sums? Who knows best how well Beth can sit still? Who knows best how well Beth can sit still? Who knows best how fast you can run? Who knows best how fast you can run? Who knows best how hard Tommy works? Who knows best how hard Tommy works? Who knows best how good you are at tidying your room? Who knows best how good you are at tidying your room? Who knows best how helpful Beth is? Who knows best how helpful Beth is?

Results Even 7 yr olds tend to cite themselves And 6 yr olds are sensitive to interior/ exterior But there is a sharp age trend

Why do children start out thinking they don’t know their own mind? Failure to grasp the value of first-person subjective access Failure to grasp the value of first-person subjective access Why? Wittgenstein's private language argument (Montgomery, 1997) Why? Wittgenstein's private language argument (Montgomery, 1997) The role of culture: The role of culture: Parents effectively tell children that they (the parents) can read their child’s mind. Parents effectively tell children that they (the parents) can read their child’s mind. This is more prevalent in South-East Asia than in Western Society (Fivush & Wang, 2005) This is more prevalent in South-East Asia than in Western Society (Fivush & Wang, 2005)

Cultural differences in self cognition Nisbett (2003) Tell me about yourself! Tell me about yourself! Americans tend to talk about inner and enduring traits that transcend context and time period Americans tend to talk about inner and enduring traits that transcend context and time period Japanese give a myriad of answers, supplying different details for different contexts. For example, “I am serious at work, but fun- loving at home.” Japanese give a myriad of answers, supplying different details for different contexts. For example, “I am serious at work, but fun- loving at home.”

Do people with autism think they know their own minds? Mitchell & O’Keefe (2008), JADD

Favourite TV programmes How much do you know about History of Dinosaurs? How much do you know about History of Dinosaurs? How much does your mum know about History of Dinosaurs? How much does your mum know about History of Dinosaurs? How much do you know about East Enders? How much do you know about East Enders? How much does your mum know about East Enders? How much does your mum know about East Enders?

Participant’s favourite prog Mum’s favourite prog

How well do you know when you are daydreaming? How well do you know when you are daydreaming? How well does your mum know when you are daydreaming? How well does your mum know when you are daydreaming? Daydreaming, Happy, Sad, Person, Tired Daydreaming, Happy, Sad, Person, Tired

ASD group Non clinical group