ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Theory of mind in animals

Theory of mind is the idea that animals may have an understanding of what other animals, and sometimes people, think. It means that animals can understand that other animals and people can have different thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. For example, a dog may understand that its owner may not want to want to play with it, but instead wants to sleep, so the dog will try to be quiet so it's owner can sleep.