The evolution and development of visual perspective taking [post]

Ben Phillips
2020 unpublished
I outline three conceptions of seeing that a creature might possess: "the headlamp conception," which involves an understanding of the causal connections between gazing at an object, certain mental states, and behavior; "the stage lights conception," which involves an understanding of the selective nature of visual attention; and seeing-as. I argue that infants and various nonhumans possess the headlamp conception. There is also evidence that chim- panzees and 3-year-old children have some
more » ... of seeing-as. However, due to a dearth of studies, there is no evidence that infants or nonhumans possess the stage lights conception of seeing. I outline the kinds of experi- ments that are needed, and what we stand to learn about the evolution and development of perspective taking.
doi:10.31234/osf.io/wkhg2 fatcat:d2wrbrchczaspfot3lbzjxwq6u