"Whether using the term aggression or personality, Hanlon worries that the baggage that comes along with using a human term can take the conversation about animal behavior in the wrong direction. Instead of focusing on the objective behavior itself, we then spend our energy comparing what the animal does to what humans do when they are aggressive or displaying a particular personality trait. More than any other word, personality poses a vexing problem-it's got the word "person" right up front (Krakauer 2011)." |
"Applying terms like personality to animals is one tool to confront our bias towards ourselves, and to help us see the profound complexity and depth of animal behavior without casting a condescending or pejorative light (Krakauer 2011)." |
Consciousness and Personalities
Since it has been well established that octopuses have incredible capabilities of intelligence and memory, the next aspect to examine is the possibility of consciousness and personalities within octopuses. Primates, with their great ability to learn and intelligent nature are believed to have a form of consciousness and many believe because octopuses may fall under the same category.
Edelman et al (2005) described three conditions to assess whether an animal has consciousness: neural structures that are functionally analogous to a human cortex and thalamus, neural dynamics similar to mammals in conscious states, and behavior that suggests a link between actions and memories. When these conditions were applied to octopuses, the researchers noted similarities in the structures of octopuses’ nervous system and behaviors, however a large difference is the presence of the locomotor system and the amount of neurons in the tentacles (Edelman et al 2005). In fact, some believe that because the locomotor system is fairly autonomous and doesn’t require central decision making, that this disqualifies octopuses from having consciousness (Mather 2008).
Mather is more open to the possibility of consciousness within octopuses. Many consider sleep to be an indicator of consciousness therefore Mather cites observations where octopuses appear to be in behavioral sleep (Mather 2008). Mather (2008) observed unreactive behaviors, narrowing pupils, and a particular skin coloration during periods of behavioral sleep and thought this was an equivalent to REM sleep. Similarly, octopuses have been known to learn through observing another conspecific, suggesting they have a notion of “self” and “other”, a foundation of consciousness (Williams 2011). Though there are varying thoughts on consciousness in octopuses, the case remains open however not proven.
Another aspect of cephalopod cognition researchers wrestle with is the possibility of octopuses having personalities (Mather and Anderson 1993; Krakauer 2011). The above quotes show various thoughts on the idea of octopuses having personalities. Jennifer Mather, as quoted in Krakauer (2011), says octopuses with different personalities may be suited for different environments and personalities be a component of survival. Whereas many studies done regarding personalities are done on the population level, Mather and Anderson (1993) completed a study where they examined individual octopuses to ascertain personality types. They found behaviors that were divided into three dimensions, activity, reactivity, and avoidance (Mather and Anderson 1993). However, Roger Hanlon, a biologist also discussed in Krakauer (2011), disagreed with Mather and Anderson’s methods, believing that personalities were human conceptions that could not be projected onto octopuses.
Whether octopuses have consciousness or personalities, it is safe to say that octopuses express incredible abilities and have the potential to surprise us in many ways in the future.
Edelman et al (2005) described three conditions to assess whether an animal has consciousness: neural structures that are functionally analogous to a human cortex and thalamus, neural dynamics similar to mammals in conscious states, and behavior that suggests a link between actions and memories. When these conditions were applied to octopuses, the researchers noted similarities in the structures of octopuses’ nervous system and behaviors, however a large difference is the presence of the locomotor system and the amount of neurons in the tentacles (Edelman et al 2005). In fact, some believe that because the locomotor system is fairly autonomous and doesn’t require central decision making, that this disqualifies octopuses from having consciousness (Mather 2008).
Mather is more open to the possibility of consciousness within octopuses. Many consider sleep to be an indicator of consciousness therefore Mather cites observations where octopuses appear to be in behavioral sleep (Mather 2008). Mather (2008) observed unreactive behaviors, narrowing pupils, and a particular skin coloration during periods of behavioral sleep and thought this was an equivalent to REM sleep. Similarly, octopuses have been known to learn through observing another conspecific, suggesting they have a notion of “self” and “other”, a foundation of consciousness (Williams 2011). Though there are varying thoughts on consciousness in octopuses, the case remains open however not proven.
Another aspect of cephalopod cognition researchers wrestle with is the possibility of octopuses having personalities (Mather and Anderson 1993; Krakauer 2011). The above quotes show various thoughts on the idea of octopuses having personalities. Jennifer Mather, as quoted in Krakauer (2011), says octopuses with different personalities may be suited for different environments and personalities be a component of survival. Whereas many studies done regarding personalities are done on the population level, Mather and Anderson (1993) completed a study where they examined individual octopuses to ascertain personality types. They found behaviors that were divided into three dimensions, activity, reactivity, and avoidance (Mather and Anderson 1993). However, Roger Hanlon, a biologist also discussed in Krakauer (2011), disagreed with Mather and Anderson’s methods, believing that personalities were human conceptions that could not be projected onto octopuses.
Whether octopuses have consciousness or personalities, it is safe to say that octopuses express incredible abilities and have the potential to surprise us in many ways in the future.