Social Cognition

What is cognition

the mental processes used to acquire, perceive, store and use information

what is social cognition

cognitive processed involved in social interactions, including recognition, memory and learning about others

what four processes are involved in cognition

1. acquiring

2. perceiving

3. storing

4. utilizing information

What is the difference between cognition and sentience

cognition is information processing; sentience is the capacity for conscious experience (pain, emotions)

must an animal be sentient to have cognition?

No - cognition can exist without sentience

How many criteria are used to assess sentience

• eight total

• four neurobiological and four behavioural

what are nociceceptors

specialized receptors that detect noxious (painful) stimuli

what does integrated nociception mean

neural pathways link nociceptors to integrative brain regions

why is analgesia evidence for sentience

because pain responses are reduced by endogenous or exogenous chemicals

what are motivational trade-offs

decision-making that weighs pain or threat against rewards

what is flexible self-protection

behaviours like wound guarding, grooming or rubbing an injury

what is associative learning

learning to associate noxious stimuli with neutral cues

what us analgesia preference

choosing pain relief when injured (self-administration or place preference)

what does recognition mean in animals

remembering and responding appropriately to individuals or events based on past experience

why is recognition important for social cognition

it requires memory and allows stable social relationships

why does mixing unfamiliar animals often cause aggression

lack of recognition prevents established social relationships

why is subordinate avoidance of dominants considered complex cognition

it requires memory of previous interactions

what is recall

the ability to retrieve stored information

what neural changes support memory

strengthened synaptic connections and new neural pathways

which senses are used in recognition

visual, olfactory, vocal cues

why is smell important for sheep recognition

sheep are follower species and rely heavily on olfactory cues

what evidence supports vocal recognition

calves recognize their mother’s call and respond longer to it

how is cognition measured in animals

behavioural and physiological measures

how was recognition tested in sheep

using Y-maze choice tests with images

what is social learning

learning by observing or interacting with others

what is a demonstrator

an individual whose behaviour is observed and copied

give an example of positive social learning

puppies learning detection tasks by watching their mother

what negatives behaviours can spread socially

stereotypies, cannibalism, tail biting, riding behaviour

what factors influence social learning

environment, age, relationship to demonstrator, social status

why does social status matter

animals learn faster from dominant individuals

are animals capable of cognition

yes - cognitive abilities vary by species and context

why does social cognition matter for welfare

it affects stress, aggression, learning, and social stability