building a brainier mouse
1. Explain the mirror test, and how passing this test, according to Dr. Gallup (the author), is evidence that animals can empathize. The mirror test is used to find whether a species is aware of itself. To perform the mirror test, Dr. Gallup acquired different groups of test subjects and introduced the mirror to them. He then observed how the subjects reacted to the mirror. He noticed that in the beginning the chimpanzees and orangutans reacted as if they were approached by another animal. However, within time the chimpanzees and orangutans begun to see the image reflected from the mirror as an impression of themselves, just as humans do. The chimpanzees and orangutans after realizing that the reflections were of themselves used the mirror as a tool to look at the inside of their mouth, to make faces, and to groom and inspect parts of their bodies. To be certain that these were actions of self awareness, Dr. Gallup put the subjects to sleep, put red dye on their eye brows and on their ears, and watched as the subjects awoke.