Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M1200

Mirror Test

Mirror Test
BehaviorHigh supportPsychology
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

A red dot is placed on an animal, and it is observed whether, when looking in a mirror, it touches the red dot on the mirror (no self-awareness) or touches the red dot on its own body (self-awareness).

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

A benchmark for self-awareness. In artificial intelligence or organizational development, determining whether a system is 'mature' depends on whether it possesses the capacity for self-reference (the ability to recognize the existence of 'I' and to self-correct and self-examine).

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

It uses 'whether the animal can recognize itself in the mirror (e.g., by identifying a mark on its body)' to test whether the animal possesses self-recognition ability.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_testZH · Explicit
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