Topic
Evolution of human intelligence
About: Evolution of human intelligence is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 182 publications have been published within this topic receiving 15378 citations.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
More filters
•
11 Aug 1988
TL;DR: The Machiavellian intelligence hypothesis as discussed by the authors is based on the ontogeny of tactical deception in humans and the ontology of non-social origins of intelligence, including the experimental context of intellect, the evolution of purpose.
Abstract: Editorial - the Machiavellian intelligence hypotheses. The origins of the idea what primates know about social relationships social complexity - the effect of a third party are primates mind-readers? deception - including tactical deception in baboons, deception and social manipulation in symbol-using apes, the ontogeny of tactical deception in humans social or non-social origins of intelligence? exploiting the expertise of others taking stock - including the experimental context of intellect, the evolution of purpose. References. Index.
1,651 citations
••
TL;DR: It is argued that complex cognitive abilities evolved multiple times in distantly related species with vastly different brain structures in order to solve similar socioecological problems.
Abstract: :Discussions of the evolution of intelligence have focused on monkeys and apes because of their close evolutionary relationship to humans. Other large-brained social animals, such as corvids, also understand their physical and social worlds. Here we review recent studies of tool manufacture, mental time travel, and social cognition in corvids, and suggest that complex cognition depends on a ‘‘tool kit’’ consisting of causal reasoning, flexibility, imagination, and prospection. Because corvids and apes share these cognitive tools, we argue that complex cognitive abilities evolved multiple times in distantly related species with vastly different brain structures in order to solve similar socioecological problems.
984 citations
••
TL;DR: It is established that social learning, innovation, and tool use frequencies are positively correlated with species' relative and absolute “executive” brain volumes, after controlling for phylogeny and research effort.
Abstract: Despite considerable current interest in the evolution of intelligence, the intuitively appealing notion that brain volume and “intelligence” are linked remains untested. Here, we use ecologically relevant measures of cognitive ability, the reported incidence of behavioral innovation, social learning, and tool use, to show that brain size and cognitive capacity are indeed correlated. A comparative analysis of 533 instances of innovation, 445 observations of social learning, and 607 episodes of tool use established that social learning, innovation, and tool use frequencies are positively correlated with species' relative and absolute “executive” brain volumes, after controlling for phylogeny and research effort. Moreover, innovation and social learning frequencies covary across species, in conflict with the view that there is an evolutionary tradeoff between reliance on individual experience and social cues. These findings provide an empirical link between behavioral innovation, social learning capacities, and brain size in mammals. The ability to learn from others, invent new behaviors, and use tools may have played pivotal roles in primate brain evolution.
946 citations
••
TL;DR: The extent to which the cognitive demands of bonding large intensely social groups involve aspects of social cognition, such as theory of mind, is explored and is related to the evolution of social group size, language, and culture within the hominid lineage.
Abstract: ▪ Abstract The social brain (or Machiavellian Intelligence) hypothesis was proposed to explain primates' unusually large brains: It argues that the cognitive demands of living in complexly bonded social groups selected for increases in executive brain (principally neocortex). The evidence for this and alternative hypotheses is reviewed. Although there remain difficulties of interpretation, the bulk of the evidence comes down in favor of the social brain hypothesis. The extent to which the cognitive demands of bonding large intensely social groups involve aspects of social cognition, such as theory of mind, is explored. These findings are then related to the evolution of social group size, language, and culture within the hominid lineage.
796 citations