The Inner Lives of Cephalopods
Alexandra K. Schnell, Nathaniel R Farndale Wright, Nicola Susan Clayton
Integrative and Comparative Biology September 26, 2023 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad122 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Argues that behavioral evidence from experimental paradigms can illuminate whether octopus, cuttlefish, and squid have awareness of self, others, and time, and that comparative-psychology-framed investigations could extend understanding of their inner lives. The authors identify gaps in the literature and propose behaviors warranting further study. |
Abstract
The minds of cephalopods have captivated scientists for millennia, yet the extent that we can understand their subjective experiences remains contested. In this article, we consider the sum of our scientific progress towards understanding the inner lives of cephalopods. Here, we outline the behavioral responses to specific experimental paradigms that are helping us to reveal their subjective experiences. We consider evidence from three broad research categories, which help to illuminate whether soft-bodied cephalopods (octopus, cuttlefish, and squid) have an awareness of self, awareness of others, and an awareness of time. Where there are current gaps in the literature, we outline cephalopod behaviors that warrant experimental investigation. We argue that investigations, especially framed through the lens of comparative psychology, have the potential to extend our understanding of the inner lives of this extraordinary class of animals.