Isabel Sondey
Ap Biology
Mr. Ippolito
January 19, 2018
Gorman, James. “Dolphins Show Self-Recognition Earlier Than Children.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Jan. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/01/10/science/dolphins-self-recognition.html?rref=collection/sectioncollection/science&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=sectionfront.
There are only a few animals who can recognize themselves in a mirror, including humans, chimpanzees, elephants, and magpies. Mirror self-recognition is often taken as a measure of a kind of intelligence and self-awareness, as the ability to recognize oneself as an individual takes a large amount of self awareness and identification. Many of the lower animals, such as many species of birds, perceive the image in mirrors as that of another animal. Some will even try to attack the mirror, as they view it ask a threat. Research conducted by Diana Reiss, a psychologist at Hunter College, and graduate student Rachel Morrison indicates that dolphins are able to recognize themselves in a mirror as early as at the age of seven months, which most humans cannot do until the age of 12 months of so and most chimpanzees cannot do until the age of two years. Dr. Reiss noted that the timing of this sort of self-awareness is of great relevance, as it is linked to many later life milestones. Dr. Reiss said dolphins “may put their eye right up against the mirror and look in silence. They may look at the insides of their mouths and wiggle their tongues.”
This study is particularly relevant to us as it provides us with some insight into how intelligent the species around us truly are. As humans, we perceive ourselves to be “supreme beings” of sorts, often overlooking the intelligence of other species. It is intriguing to think that other animals such as dolphins could actually possess a greater self-awareness than us humans. Additionally, this research provides us with critical insights into the “development of self-awareness” milestone. As explained by Emory University’s Frans de Waals, the student holds a great significance, as science needs to go beyond asking whether species display mirror self-recognition (MSR) to ask whether the emergence of MSR correlates, as it does in humans, with other milestones of development. Connecting the ability to the rest of development can help researchers begin to answer the question of what MSR means.” Further research may help us understand what this development of self-awareness really means in the case of animals, and whether it is related to other milestone developments as it is in humans.
Overall, the article was a particularly interesting one. The author broke down the research in a very clear, concise, and comprehensible manner. He also cited a professor at Emory University, Frans de Waals, saying that the study was a great one. This served to validate the research, as it showed that a respected professor and well-verse scientist gave his approval. However, there were a few aspects of the research that were left a little unclear. To begin with, the author did not thoroughly explain how many dolphins were tested or where they were tested. He writes, “Dr. Reiss first reported self-recognition in dolphins in 2001 with Lori Marino” and then goes on to explain the behavior of dolphins when they come in contact with mirrors, yet he fails to address any specifics of the data collection process. Inclusion of this information would greatly enhance the reader’s understanding of the research and it was certainly a huge mistake to exclude this. I’d recommend that the author include some more specifics of the research, including when it began, where it was conducted, how dolphins were selected for testing, and exactly how they were tested.
Luke Redman
ReplyDeleteMr.Ippolito
AP Biology
Current Event #15
Gorman, James. “Dolphins Show Self-Recognition Earlier Than Children.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Jan. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/01/10/science/dolphins-self-recognition.html?rref=collection/sectioncollection/science&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=sectionfront.
I chose to read Isabel’s review of “Dolphins Show Self-Recognition Earlier Than Children” by James Gorman. The article talks about research done by Emory University. She did a great job weaving quotes into her writing, along with how those quotes supported the topic. She also kept the language in the review reasonably simple, which enhanced the experience. Another thing she did well was critique the author, and gave reasonable criticisms.
While her review was very well written, there were some areas that she could have improved. She could have included more details about the actual experiment which would have enriched the overall experience of reading the review.Lastly, she could have explained what the discovery meant for the development of the human race.
I was very surprised by the fact that Dolphins show this trait earlier than humans. It changed my view on our place on earth and how we aren't always superior. Overall, Isabel’s article was extremely well written, and I look forward to reading another one of her reviews.
Julia Pabafikos
ReplyDeleteMr. Ippolito
AP Biology
February 5, 2018
Gorman, James. “Dolphins Show Self-Recognition Earlier Than Children.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Jan. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/01/10/science/dolphins-self-recognition.html?rref=collection/sectioncollection/science&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=sectionfront.
Isabel Sondey did a great job on reviewing her article “Dolphins Show Self-Recognition Earlier Than Children.” by James Gorman. I particularly enjoyed how Isabel took the time to explain specific animals that are able to recognize their reflections and how mirror self-recognition is a measure of a kind of intelligence and self-awareness. Isabel also states the group of lower animals that are not able to recognize their reflection and instead just perceive their reflection as another animal. Additionally I enjoyed that Isabel’s relevance paragraph were she mentions a key point of how this research is able to provide insight of how intelligent other species are and how humans aren’t necessarily the “supreme beings” we believed to be. Lastly, I really enjoyed Isabel’s critique paragraph where she stated key points that could have bettered the original article. When initially reading Isabel’s critic I also would have mentioned that she was missing more specific information such as the data collection process, specifics of the research, including when it began, where it was conducted, how dolphins were selected for testing, and exactly how they were tested. However Isabel was able to mention that in her critique and in result further her own point.
However, I believe that Isabel did have two areas in her review in which she could improve upon. Primarily, I would recommend that Isabel go into more detail about how animals are able to recognize their reflection and if it has anything to do with something located in the brain that other species do not obtain. Additionally, I would encourage Isabel to incorporate another quote in her review so that the reader could really understand what the article’s point of view is but also to understand where this research could lead to and what other subjects can this research explain or further.
Overall, Isabel did a great job of creating a well written review that illustrates how research and new discoveries are made. I personally chose to read this article simply because I was shocked by the title of how dolphins can ultimately develop techniques such as self awareness much before a human. Through reading about this research I believe it provided me with a clear understanding of how humans should not think of themselves as inferior to every species because overlooking the intelligence of all other species could ultimately be detrimental to society.
Kirsten Ircha 2/5/18
ReplyDeleteAP Biology E/F Even Current Event #15
Citation:
Gorman, James. “Dolphins Show Self-Recognition Earlier Than Children.” The New York
Times, The New York Times, 10 Jan. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/01/10/science/dolphins-self-recognition.html?rref=collection/sectioncollection/science&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=sectionfront.
My fellow college, Isabel Sondey, wrote an insightful review on the article, “Dolphins Show Self-Recognition Earlier Than Children,” by James Gorman of the New York Times. To begin, Isabel does a great job of explaining what self-awareness truly is and how self-awareness can be identified and observed in different animals as well humans. This allows the reader to have a very good basic understanding of the topic so that they are able to comprehend the rest of the piece. Furthermore, Isabel includes the research and thoughts of prominent scientist in the field. For example, Isabel writes, “Research conducted by Diana Reiss, a psychologist at Hunter College, and graduate student Rachel Morrison indicates that dolphins are able to recognize themselves in a mirror as early as at the age of seven months, which most humans cannot do until the age of 12 months of so and most chimpanzees cannot do until the age of two years.” By explaining the work of well established individuals, Isabel’s review is seen as well supported and well thought out. Furthermore, the readers are able to see that Isabel has a very good understanding of her topic. Lastly, I feel that Isabel chose a very interesting and easy to understand topic for her review. This allows the audience to be more engaged in the review and the reading to go by quickly. Also, since the topic is of a basic level, all ages are able to understand the content.
Although I enjoyed the review, a couple of areas could be improved. To begin, some misspellings or small grammatical errors were written without the piece. This makes me feel as if Isabel did not proof read her work. In the future, Isabel can edit or peer edit to minimize some of these mistakes. Also, Isabel uses a very informal tone throughout the piece. For example she writes, “Overall, the article was a particularly interesting one.” As this piece is more academic, a formal tone should be continually utilized. In the future, this issue can be solved through more sophisticated wording and word choices.
What shocked me most is when Isabel writes, “As humans, we perceive ourselves to be “supreme beings” of sorts, often overlooking the intelligence of other species.” This is so surprising as the statement is very true. In society we often overlook the intelligence from other creatures as we believe that we are the smartest. However, other species are also very intelligent and can be learned from. This review will change my life as I am deeply interested in the topic and will follow updates on this issue in the future.
Robby Schetlick
ReplyDeleteMr.Ippolito
AP Biology Current Event
2/5/18
Citation:
Gorman, James. “Dolphins Show Self-Recognition Earlier Than Children.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Jan. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/01/10/science/dolphins-self-recognition.html?rref=collection/sectioncollection/science&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=sectionfront.
In this article by The New York times, Isabel Sondey reviews new biological research into dolphin recognition. Firstly, he review had a quality summary paragraph which fit the original article well. It efficiently shortened the information, making it more digestible to the reader. She weaved in quotes from the article to use to further ground her information, for example she quotes, “Research conducted by Diana Reiss, a psychologist at Hunter College, and graduate student Rachel Morrison indicates that dolphins are able to recognize themselves in a mirror as early as at the age of seven months, which most humans cannot do until the age of 12 months of so and most chimpanzees cannot do until the age of two years.” Next, she does a good job with her societal significance section, questioning what it means to have human supremacy on the planet. We often forget that we’re just one species on a planet of thousands, and our impact on the evolution of the planet is bigger than ever before.
There are few issues with the review, but some minor tweaks might help make the piece more focused. Firstly, eliminate the irrelevant or extra pieces that aren’t directly laser focused on the topic of the article. For instance she writes, “He also cited a professor at Emory University, Frans de Waals, saying that the study was a great one.” This serves no purpose to help her review, and is valuable wasted attention span time. Next, she should consider going deeper with her analysis and critique section of her review, which lacked a strong position.
I choose this article because it peaked my interest into other forms of intelligent life in our universe. We spend countless hours spearching into space for answers to our human sentience loneliness, but we have set to explore so much on our own planet. Those at the depths of the oceans, and animals that we already know still have so much more about them that we haven’t figured out yet, so new research like this is always interesting to me. This review in particular sparked my thought process again into what it means to be sentient, and that maybe being able to recognize yourself in a mirror may have bigger implications than what it seems.
Ava Austi
ReplyDeleteAP Biology
Current Event #16
2/12/18
Gorman, James. “Dolphins Show Self-Recognition Earlier Than Children.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Jan. 2018.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/10/science/dolphins-self-recognition.html?rref=collection/sectioncollection/science&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=sectionfront
Isabel wrote a great review based off the article “Dolphins Show Self-Recognition Earlier Than Children,” by James Gorman from The New York Times. The article discusses important research that was done by Emory University. Throughout the review of the article, there were many aspects that Isabel did well in order to write a great review. Firstly, Isabel did a great job of proving the audience with a detailed summary of new biological research into dolphin recognition. This detailed summary allows the reader to understand the main point of the article without any confusion. Isabel also did a excellent job of weaving in quotes from the article to use to further ground her information. For example, “Research conducted by Diana Reiss, a psychologist at Hunter College, and graduate student Rachel Morrison indicates that dolphins are able to recognize themselves in a mirror as early as at the age of seven months, which most humans cannot do until the age of 12 months of so and most chimpanzees cannot do until the age of two years.” Lastly, Isabel successfully connected the article she read to our society today. She made me as a reader question what it means to have human supremacy on the planet. She made me think as a audience. Isabel successfully wrote a clear and interesting review of the article she read.
Although Isabel presented a great review of the article, there were some aspects where she could have improved. Firstly, it would have been beneficial if Isabel went deeper into her analysis and critique section of her review. This section lacked a strong position. A few more strong points would strengthen her opinion. Also, Isabel would have benefited if she proofread her work. There were a few misspelled words or small grammatical errors throughout the piece that slowed me down when reading her review.
These issues are both easy to fix in order to make Isabel’s review even better. Even though there were some parts of the review that Isabel could have improved, I think she wrote a great review of the article.
I thought Isabel did a great job in writing her review and I really enjoyed reading it. I did not choose to read this article for a specific reason but I am glad that I did. What shocked me most still is how Isabel wrote, “As humans, we perceive ourselves to be “supreme beings” of sorts, often overlooking the intelligence of other species.” I was so surprised with how true this statement is. In our society, we often overlook the intelligence from other creatures as we believe humans must be the smartest of them all. After reading Isabel’s review, I want to learn more about this topic. Overall, I think Isabel successfully wrote a clear and detailed review of her article.