The performance of young children on the ‘mirror self-recognition test’ varies hugely across cultures, a new study has shown. This is the test that involves surreptitiously putting a mark on a child’s forehead and then seeing how they react when presented with their mirror image. Attempts by the child to touch or remove the mark are taken as a sign that he or she recognises themselves in the mirror. Studies in the West suggest that around half of all 18-month-olds pass the test, rising to 70 per cent by 24 months. Chimps, orangutans, dolphins and elephants have also been shown to pass the test, and there’s recent debate over whether monkeys can too.They found that non-western kids do poorly, with kids as old as 6 flunking it in Kenya.
Does this mean that Kenyan IQ is lower than that of chimps and dolphins? No, I don't think so. Interesting anyway.
1 comment:
The differences might be something as simple as 'how familiar is the child with seeing their own reflection'. If the person lives in an area with little to no mirrors, or at least highly reflective clear surfaces, they may be unfamiliar with what they are seeing. Exposure to something versus raw intelligence isn't always apparent or clear cut, but can have a significant affect on test scoring.
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