Date of Award
Spring 6-2025
Document Type
Thesis (Ph.D.)
Department or Program
Psychological & Brain Sciences
First Advisor
Jonathan Phillips
Second Advisor
Matt van der Meer
Third Advisor
Steven Frankland
Abstract
This dissertation investigates the phylogenetic and developmental foundations of modal thought—the ability to contemplate possibilities, impossibilities, and alternative outcomes—and how this capacity supports adaptive decision-making. In Chapter 1, I provide a theoretical framework for studying modal cognition across non-human animals, focusing on counterfactual reasoning as a case study. I examine current methodologies and introduce the modal building blocks approach as a method for studying counterfactual thought in non-human animals. In Chapter 2, I present two empirical studies investigating rats’ capacity for counterfactual modal building blocks including hierarchical reward reasoning, non-habitual decision-making, and reasoning about available and unavailable options. In Chapter 3, I turn to developmental evidence in humans, examining how children generate and evaluate multiple possible options when solving open-ended decision problems. I show that children generate a similar number of options as adults and exhibit the “Take the First” decision heuristic from an early age. Finally, in Chapter 4, I summarize these findings, highlight outstanding questions, and propose directions for future research.
Recommended Citation
Holland, Catherine, "Modal Building Blocks Across Species and Development" (2025). Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations. 373.
https://digitalcommons.dartmouth.edu/dissertations/373
