Evolution of Theory of Mind

In a series of recent experiments we found evidence that Eurasian jays, a species of corvid, can ascribe desires to their conspecifics. During the breeding season, male jays share food with their female partner by taking into account what food the female currently desires most. These results provide the first evidence to suggest that a non-human animal might be capable of desire-state attribution, a critical component of Theory of Mind. Currently, we do not know whether this ability is limited to Eurasian jays or whether it is shared with other corvid species or also species outside of the corvid family. To test this, it is important to adapt our current paradigm to suit species that do not share food with each other or do not share food such that it can be easily be seen what food is shared. One convenient way to address this issue would be to use a Violation of Expectation looking time paradigm. After an initial validation of this paradigm on human adults (see rotation project proposal), the aim of the PhD project would be to test whether other corvid species show the same sensitivity to conspecifics' desires that has been found in Eurasian jays.