Evidence points to conscious 'metacognition' in some nonhuman animals

EurekAlert: "J. David Smith, Ph.D., a comparative psychologist at the University at Buffalo who has conducted extensive studies in animal cognition, says there is growing evidence that animals share functional parallels with human conscious metacognition -- that is, they may share humans' ability to reflect upon, monitor or regulate their states of mind."

TEDTalks : Rebecca Saxe: How we read each other's minds - Rebecca Saxe (2009)

TEDTalks: "Sensing the motives and feelings of others is a natural talent for humans. But how do we do it? Here, Rebecca Saxe shares fascinating lab work that uncovers how the brain thinks about other peoples' thoughts -- and judges their actions."