Question

Do you think the recognition of the mark signifies the beginning of a sense of self?

Answer 1

Children recognising themselves in a replicate or photo something most kids most do by the age of two. This type of self-awareness can be assessed scientifically by surreptitiously placing a small mark on a child’s forehead, such as with the aid of kissing them whilst wearing lipstick. The baby can’t feel the mark so their experience of contact can’t alert them to its presence – however they can see it if they seem in a mirror. If the toddler has the ability to see themselves as another character would, they will reach up to contact the mark when shown a mirror, indicating that they equate the mirror image with their personal body.