title: Awareness of goal-oriented behavior during infancy and early childhood, in human- and non-human primates.
abstract: We review the literature surrounding the phylogenetic and developmental emergence of goal-oriented behavior, among human and non-human primates. We define goal-oriented awareness as the ability to perceive goals and perceptions in others. We examine empirical literature involving gaze-following, shared attention, distinguishing between actions and intentions, and the ability to generate and understand communicative cues. We conclude that at least a rudimentary awareness of goal-oriented behavior is present from birth in humans, and in adult great apes. The evidence in other primate species shows phylogenetic differences as well as gaps in the empirical literature.
authors.affiliation: D225H, Centre for Teaching and Learning, Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, 205 Humber College Blvd., Toronto, Ontario, M9W 5L7, Canada. Electronic address: heidi.marsh@humber.ca.
authors.forename: Heidi L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Marsh
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada. Electronic address: legerste@yorku.ca.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Legerstee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001288:Attention; D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D032882:Comprehension; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D033182:Intention; D010802:Phylogeny; D011323:Primates; D012919:Social Behavior
keywords: Communicative cues; Development; Gaze-following; Goal-directed actions; Goal-oriented behavior; Infants; Intentions; Joint attention; Primates; Socio-cognitive development