Why is it challenging to determine if animals solve problems like humans do?

Determining whether animals solve problems in ways similar to humans is particularly difficult because animals cannot articulate their thought processes or reasoning in the same manner humans do. While humans can explain their actions and the rationale behind their decisions through language, animals lack this ability to communicate their inner thoughts. Consequently, researchers rely on observable behaviors rather than self-reported reasoning, which adds a layer of complexity to understanding animal cognition.

This limitation in communication affects the interpretation of animal behavior; for instance, an animal might display problem-solving behavior that suggests reasoning but without the ability to convey its thought process, it remains ambiguous. Although animals do possess memory and can exhibit complex behaviors, understanding the underlying cognitive mechanisms remains a challenge due to this lack of verbal expression. Thus, assessing whether their problem-solving methods are akin to human reasoning relies heavily on indirect observation rather than direct self-reporting.