<p>To test self-awareness in <strong>animals there is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_test" rel="nofollow">Mirror test</a></strong>. It involves painting something on the animal's head/face without their knowledge and observing what they do when they notice the paint in their own reflection in a mirror.</p>

<p>Additionally, <a href="http://www.cnet.com/news/cute-robot-politely-shows-self-awareness/" rel="nofollow">robots have been tested for simple self-awareness by researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-27T20:30:48.133Z
I know of the mirror-test - they also used it with babies (a vid on youtube about it), put a sticker on their foreheads IIRC. The robot-test concerns proprietary theory/algorithm so cannot really conclude anything, but seems suspiciously like just a well written expert-system.
slashmais
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-27T19:37:06.290Z
2015-07-27T19:37:06.290Z
Justas
<p>Are there any means by which an observed entity (e.g.: an AI) can be tested for self-awareness using/applying/affecting mainly its visual-oral-auditory-senses and observed responses of same? Failing that, are there any such tests for organic life-forms?</p>

<awareness>
Objective test for self-awareness?
slashmais
# Objective test for self-awareness?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-07-27)

Are there any means by which an observed entity (e.g.: an AI) can be tested for self-awareness using/applying/affecting mainly its visual-oral-auditory-senses and observed responses of same? Failing that, are there any such tests for organic life-forms?

**Tags:** awareness


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-07-27. Score: 4

To test self-awareness in **animals there is the [Mirror test](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_test)**. It involves painting something on the animal's head/face without their knowledge and observing what they do when they notice the paint in their own reflection in a mirror.

Additionally, [robots have been tested for simple self-awareness by researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute](http://www.cnet.com/news/cute-robot-politely-shows-self-awareness/).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I know of the mirror-test - they also used it with babies (a vid on youtube about it), put a sticker on their foreheads IIRC. The robot-test concerns proprietary theory/algorithm so cannot really conclude anything, but seems suspiciously like just a well written expert-system.  

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