Primate Cognition and Human Evolution Review

Flashcards designed to review key concepts related to primate cognition, human evolution, and associated neurobiological processes for an exam.

What is the primary focus of the study of primate brains in terms of evolution?

To understand major divergence points in primates' evolutionary history and the specializations of primitive primate brains.

What are some key visual system features observed in primitive primate brains?

Visual grasp reflex, blobs, depth perception, and forward-facing eyes.

What cognitive abilities are associated with the frontal cortex in primates?

Selective attention, working memory, and novel behaviors.

What is Machiavellian intelligence in simians?

The ability to understand and manipulate social situations for advantage.

How do apes differ from monkeys regarding Theory of Mind?

Apes understand true and false beliefs, whereas monkeys can only pass true belief tests.

What are the three categories of the causes of primate cognitive evolution?

Causes, constraints, and consequences of cognitive evolution.

What does the social brain hypothesis suggest about brain evolution?

Neocortex size correlates strongly with social group size.

How does bipedalism affect childbirth in humans?

Bipedalism requires anatomical adaptations that constrain pelvic width, impacting childbirth.

What is the expensive brain hypothesis?

The idea that maintaining a large brain requires more efficient energy use and changes in growth patterns.

What are some psychological components of shared intentionality in humans?

Mutual responsiveness, shared goals, and coordinated planning.

What does the creativity gap refer to in human evolution?

The time lag between the geographic dispersion of humans and the emergence of creativity in the archaeological record.

Define Theory of Mind (ToM).

The capacity to recognize that people act based on mental states and to attribute such states to oneself and others.

What role does language play in human cognitive evolution?

Language enables complex communication, planning, and coordination among groups.

How do social networking sites affect human cognition?

They increase capacity for shared knowledge but can lead to shallow processing and decreased attention.