Teaching is a natural cognitive ability for humans

Sidney Strauss*, Margalit Ziv

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

106 Scopus citations

Abstract

Wesuggest that a multidisciplinary approach to teaching has potential to widen its scope. In that vein, we revisit our original claim that teaching is a natural cognitive ability among humans. We elaborate on three requirements for such an ability and report that, first, teaching strategies may be developmentally reliable. Findings indicate a possible normative developmental trajectory from age one year through adulthood. Second, teaching seems to be species-typical, that is, it is a universal human achievement. Third, human teaching with a theory of mind (ToM) is species-unique. Nonhumananimals may teach without a ToM.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)186-196
Number of pages11
JournalMind, Brain, and Education
Volume6
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2012

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