Jasper Spaans - A spatial agent-based model of corvid caching behavior

afstudeercolloquium

Theory of mind is the ability to attribute mental states towards others and to act on this knowledge, which is an ability humans have. Some researchers of animal intelligence state that some animal species can be shown to have this ability as well, while others dispute this. Corvids demonstrate great cognitive abilities in caching behavior, and are suspect to possess theory of mind as well. We constructed an agent-based model to explore another explanation for the perceived intelligence in corvid caching behavior involving their spatial environment and social facilitation. We found that the model could not convincingly simulate all the intended patterns of behavior. Possible improvements to the model will be discussed, as well as how this type of scientific debate can benefit from researching agent-based models.