Diving into the Depths of Animal Intellect through the Lens of Innovative Intelligence Tests

The Mirror Test

The mirror test, devised by psychologist Gordon Gallup Jr., is a classic experiment in animal cognition research. It tests an animal's ability to recognize itself in a mirror, a trait that is considered a sign of self-awareness. While many animals fail this test, some species, including great apes, dolphins, and even some birds, have passed it, indicating a level of self-consciousness previously thought to be exclusive to humans.