Hypothetical test: With human subjects, we have other ways to gauge theory of mind. Take the statement, "For example, compared to controls, schizophrenic indi

Hypothetical test: With human subjects, we have other ways to gauge theory of mind. Take the statement, "For example, compared to controls, schizophrenic individuals were less likely to understand a request hidden in a husband’s statement to his wife, 'I want to wear that blue shirt, but it’s very creased.' Perform these alternate types of tests on subjects in a FMRI machine. Conceivably with enough subjects, it may be possible to discern distinct sections of the brain responding to these questions. Then test the subjects with the mirror test. Place a spot on the nose, or eyebrow, etc. The first thing to check is if, indeed, the same areas of the brain respond in the mirror test as in the other non-visual tests. If so, this is an excellent indicator that the mirror test is actually showing what researchers have believed it to show. The next step would be that if the mirror test proves to be accurate, hook up chimpanzee subjects in a FMRI and perform the mirror tests. See if associated sections of their brains respond as ours do. Further, test this against various great apes. If all of us have passed the standard mirror test, I would hypothesize all great apes will have similar responses. Things to check for in subjects (human and ape): Mental disease. As is mentioned in the article, patients with schizophrenia would not be good test subjects. Try to make sure the apes aren't diseased in a similar way.