Monkeys have reasoning powers like primitive humans

However,only humans can reason that others may not hold their own beliefs,8217;New Scientist8217; reported.

Rogier Mars of the University of Oxford and colleagues scanned 36 people8217;s brains in order to study this difference.

Using an algorithm,researchers created a map of how an area associated with theory of mind is connected to brain regions linked to abilities such as face recognition and interpretation.

They scanned 12 macaque brains for a similar pattern of connections. An area involved in facial recognition had a similar pattern,suggesting involvement in abstract thought.

Mars said that,however,doesn8217;t necessarily mean the structures share a function.

Theory of mind is probably a spectrum of ways of thinking,he said,adding,humans got better at it as they evolved.

The structural differences may tell us why non-human primates lack the ability to think about others8217; beliefs,Laurie Santos of Yale University said.