Intentions in humans and animals: Insights from New Caledonian crows and patients with psychosomatic disorders

Recently the study of intentional goal-directed behavior has re-gained interest in the field of animal behavior. Numerous studies investigate intentional behavior in humans annimals e.g. future planning, with intentional animal communication, social tactics, and tool. Cognitive sciences aim to find intentionality as well as goal-directed intentions in humans. Comparative ethology is trying to find a formalization of the concept in order to be able to investigate intentions empirically in animals. Different disciplines have working and functional descriptions of intent that might help cognitive ethologists to formalize the ability to have goal-directed intentions for non-linguistic animals. Recent studies on animal tool use and future planning capabilities will be presented and compared with performances of 3-5 year old children. Additionally, intentional behavior in the treatment of psychosomatic disorder will help to understand how concepts of intentionality and self-efficacy influence treatment outcomes. By comparing the theoretical background of the disciplines and presenting recent studies, I anticipate to help develop a better framework for empirical work