Do Animals Think? - Animal Intelligence

The first thing we have to look at when analyzing whether or not animals think is the definition of thinking. ‘Thinking’ is defined as the ability to form or combine ideas or judgments in the mind. According to any dictionary, to think or thinking can hold several different meanings, among the most important being the ability to mentally examine something and form a judgment, intention or opinion.

The term ‘thinking’ can also be defined as a mind’s capability to learn, understand, reason, make decisions and form ideas based on reality. Additionally, determining which animal species can be considered ‘‘intelligent’’ has been a subject of constant study.

Considering the given definition, practically all animals could be considered intelligent. Animals are able to learn and, in other words, adapt to their environment.

On the other hand, additional definitions include the ability to use instruments, create culture, transmit teachings from parents to children, or simply appreciate beauty in all of its forms. In addition, the ability to communicate through language, even if only using signs and symbols, is considered a sign of intelligence. Therefore, in conclusion, the definition of intelligence will depend largely on where the researcher places it.

Animal Intelligence

The topic of animal intelligence is controversial and involves scientific, philosophical and religious beliefs. By calling ourselves Homo sapiens, for example, we immediately differentiate ourselves from other animal species, thereby legitimizing our exploitation of the rest of the animal kingdom by regarding them as somewhat inferior.

Therefore, one cannot lose sight of the ethics behind the investigation of this question. It is also important to keep in mind that ethology is the scientific study of animal behavior, often in natural settings, and does not simply compare humans with other animals.

On the other hand, studies can carry an anthropocentric bias when they are designed and interpreted by humans. It is somewhat impossible for us, as humans, to interpret our results from any perspective other than the ‘human perspective.’ Animal intelligence, however, should be assessed using a range of factors, such as smell and hearing, rather than only critical human thinking. It is also necessary to assess observations in the natural environment alongside those made in artificially created laboratory settings.

Research and discussion around animal ethics continue, and for good reason. For example, in light of new findings, the Great Ape Project, an animal rights organization, has argued that hominids should have basic human rights. This project argues for and demands ‘‘the abolition of the species barrier between human beings and great apes.^[1]’’

When evaluating an animal’s abilities, it is helpful to consider the problems it encounters in its everyday life. A task designed for people may overlook skills that matter to an animal in the wild, while a single successful test does not necessarily explain how the animal reached its answer.

In order to answer this question accurately, one would need to distinguish exactly what is meant by the term ‘instinct’. Instinct refers to innate behaviors that are not learned but are transmitted through genes, often as a response to specific stimuli. Animals of the same species may respond in similar ways to a specific stimulus based on instinct. It is also incredibly important to remember that instinct is not only a feature of animals, but that we as humans are also defined by our own innate fixed patterns, often referred to by some as ‘‘animal instincts in humans.’’

Some ethological studies have described animal intelligence using a type of hierarchy. In general, mammals have been considered more intelligent than reptiles, amphibians or fish. Among mammals, primates, elephants and dolphins have stood out as being more intelligent. Octopuses are also considered incredibly intelligent animals, constituting an exception to the maxim. However, comparisons can depend on the task being studied, since each species has abilities suited to its own environment.

Can animals reason?

In animal studies, the need to analyze whether animals have the ability to reason is at the forefront. Reasoning can be defined as establishing a relationship between different ideas or concepts in order to draw conclusions or form judgments. And yes, in this case, animals do reason. Many animal species are able to use various elements in order to solve a problem presented to them. Additionally, trial and error is often used in the animal world.

Careful observation can help distinguish a learned response from a simple reaction to a stimulus. For example, researchers may change the conditions of a task or present a new problem to see whether an animal can apply what it has learned in a different situation.

For a more in-depth example of this, we recommend reading our article where we discuss the most fascinating animal senses in the world.

According to the evidence we have just analyzed, we can conclude that yes, animals do have the ability to think. But what about feelings and emotion? And do animals have the same emotions as humans?

First, we need to look at a commonly asked question, ‘‘Do animals feel pain?’’ Animals with a nervous system can feel pain in a way similar to humans. But what about emotionally? Can animals experience psychological suffering? Stress, for example, can be measured through the hormones that are secreted, and this seems to give an affirmative answer. Animals, like humans, are able to suffer from stress, anxiety, sadness and pain. Additionally, animals are able to suffer from depression, hence the social and ethical push for humans to reflect on their treatment of animals.

Changes in behavior, such as withdrawing from social contact or losing interest in usual activities, can be signs of distress. These signs need to be considered in the context of the animal’s species and circumstances, rather than assumed to mean exactly the same thing they would in a person.

For more, we recommend reading our following articles where we analyze specific animal feelings:

• The five freedoms of animal welfare
• My cat is depressed

Well, the answer to this question is simple. Animals do have language, their own language. If anything, animals do think with language, but this is done with a language that we as humans don’t understand. Animals communicate largely with sounds, visual signals and physical expression.

They can also communicate through scent and other signals that people may not readily notice. The meaning of a sound or gesture can depend on the situation, so understanding animal communication requires observing both the signal and the context in which it occurs.

Some examples of animal cognition include:

• The ability of some primates to communicate through sign language and the use of tools to do so
• Animal migration
• Interval timing
• Some dolphins call to each other using unique sounds, or ‘names’
• Some dogs are able to understand words and commands
• Elephants have an amazing memory capacity and are incredibly self-aware
• A pig’s understanding of reflection
• Crows as incredibly capable problem-solvers

To learn more about cognition in animals, we recommend taking a look at studies by the following researchers, writers and ethologists: Desmond Morris, Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, Konrad Lorenz, Nikolaas Tinbergen, Frans de Waal and Karl von Frisch.

These examples show that intelligence can take different forms, from remembering routes to solving unfamiliar problems. No single ability captures the full range of ways animals learn and respond to their surroundings.

For more, you may also be interested in reading:

• How intelligent are pigs?
• The 5 most intelligent animals in the world.

If you want to read similar articles to Do Animals Think? - Animal Intelligence, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.