From Avril Arthur-Goettig, Munich, Germany
Inspired by a reader’s claim his cat possibly possesses theory of mind, I decided to test my own pet (Letters, 25 January).
The experiment: I stand in front of a (full-length) mirror with Samson, a highly demanding 5-year-old Siamese cat, comfortably tucked under my arm. To attract his attention in the mirror, I make faces and funny noises. I then extend my other arm behind and about 20 centimetres above my head, slowly descending my index finger to poke the top of my head.
I repeat this over his head; he doesn’t like it and shakes his head vigorously. After re-engaging his attention in the mirror, I repeat the whole procedure; he responds with the same head-shaking and becomes restless. Now, I repeat the process, but stop the descending digit about 6 cm above his head. He instantly looks up at my finger. (Hey, are you going to poke me again?) He seems to know it is his head in the mirror and my intent.
Prerequisites for the test: mirror; an unwavering bond of trust and affection with cat.
Advertisement
