A multidimensional approach to the self in non-human animals through the Pattern Theory of Self.
Frontiers in psychology January 1, 2025 Matteo Laurenzi, Antonino Raffone, Shaun Gallagher et al. 4 citations
The self in non-human animals is often studied in a limited, dichotomous way that separates low-level bodily and affective aspects from high-level cognitive ones. A proposed framework based on the Pattern Theory of Self (PTS) treats the self as a dynamic, multidimensional construct with graded, non-hierarchical dimensions—ranging from bodily and affective to intersubjective and normative. This approach accommodates variability within and across species, allowing researchers to investigate how the self emerges in different degrees and forms shaped by ecological niches and adaptive demands, without relying on anthropocentric biases.