Overview
The "mirror test" has been used as a behavioral measure of mirror self-recognition for a variety of species. In this article we apply a predictive processing interpretation to the results of the mirror test in order to offer a novel perspective with which to understand mirror self-recognition and self-directed behavior. Furthermore, we hypothesize that a “reflection prediction”, upon which our predictive processing interpretation of the mirror test is built, may also offer a novel perspective to understand how humans locate themselves relative to a mirror, imitate others, and are self-aware from a social perspective. As we show that a reflection prediction may help to explain how these traits may emerge in human cognition, we also point out that atypical reflection predictions or atypical use of a reflection prediction may help to explain instances where these traits are atypical in certain individuals.
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Methods and contributions
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Findings and contributions
- The authors propose mirror self-recognition results from sensory attenuation when a reflection is predicted, and mark-directed behavior is active inference to correct reflection prediction errors.
- They argue species that learn to ignore their reflection, not only those showing self-directed behavior, may be capable of mirror self-recognition.
- They argue the mirror test measures self-directed behavior rather than mirror self-recognition.
- They hypothesize that self-directed behavior reflects whether a species faced selection pressure for active inference in front of reflective surfaces, citing the cleaner wrasse.
- They argue a reflection prediction may also support mirror proprioception, imitation and self-awareness, and its errors may relate to atypical forms of these traits; they call the paper largely speculative.
Methods
- Predictive processing reinterpretation of published mirror-test results — Applies the predictive processing framework (perceptual inference, active inference, sensory attenuation) to interpret prior mirror-test findings across species.
- 'Reflection prediction' construct built on Apps and Tsakiris — Defines a reflection prediction as optimized high-level priors about one's own visual reflection, following Apps and Tsakiris's free-energy self account.
- Hypothetical error analysis compared against observed symptoms — Considers possible reflection prediction errors, their effects and corrections, then compares these with symptoms reported in the literature (summarized in Table 1).
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