Absence of self‐recognition in a monkey (Macaca fascicularis) following prolonged exposure to a mirror

Abstract

To date only chimpanzees, orangutans, and humans have been found capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors. In an attempt to provide a more definitive test of the capacity for self‐recognition in monkeys, I gave a preadolescent crab‐eating macaque 2400 hr of mirror exposure. However, patterns of self‐directed behavior never developed and a more explicit test of self‐recognition yielded negative results. The data indicate possible differences between great apes and monkeys in self‐awareness.