Machines Like Us

Like humans, they grasp their mental limitations, study finds.

New U.S. research finds the rodents are able to assess or reflect on their own mental processes—an ability called "metacognition" that was previously identified only in humans and other primates.

To test the rats, researchers at the University of Georgia utilized an approach used to assess metacognition in primates. The rats were familiarized with a specific test and learned to determine whether or not they were capable of accomplishing the task and receiving a large food reward.

Read full story at HealthDay