Moving beyond domain-specific versus domain-general options in cognitive neuroscience

Cortex, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 154, P. 259 - 268

Published: June 15, 2022

Language: Английский

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Burials and engravings in a small-brained hominin, Homo naledi, from the late Pleistocene: contexts and evolutionary implications

Published: July 12, 2023

Data from recent explorations in the Dinaledi subsystem illustrates one of earliest examples a mortuary practice hominins and offers evidence multiple interments funerary actions, as well early creation meaning making by hominin. The hominin undertaking these behaviors was small-brained Homo naledi . These data call into question several key assumptions about behavioral cognitive evolution Pleistocene hominins. push back temporal origins associate with species thus challenge role importance encephalization human evolution. This suggests that socio-cognitive niche its relation to meaning-making activities is more diverse than previously thought. association subterranean spaces accessed modified small brained impacts assertations technological advances are associated solely larger brains.Burials related alter our understandings

Language: Английский

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Between social cognition and material engagement: the cooperative body hypothesis

Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 29, 2024

Abstract In recent years, social cognition approaches to human evolution and Material Engagement Theory have offered new theoretical resources advance our understanding of the prehistoric hominin mind. To date, however, these two developed largely in isolation from one another. I argue that there is a gap between social- material-centred approaches, this precisely sociomateriality appearance ancestral bodies, which evolved under selective pressure develop increasingly complex, cooperative sociality. get sociomaterial body focus, an esthesiological framework, appropriated Merleau-Ponty (2003), for interpreting expressive evolutionary comparative context. The guiding hypothesis esthesiology before being rationality (social or material), “humanity another corporeity” (Merleau-Ponty, 2003, p. 208). Esthesiology studies its sense organs as intertwining locus sens ing power (the ability see, touch, etc.) ible character visible, touchable body). It dual-aspect facilitates most basic affective sensorimotor modes Examining features perspective, we find distinctively suited prosocial communication cooperation: more eye, exposed communicative skin. thus propose , by analogy with eye (Tomasello et al., 2007). provides framework integrating wide range otherwise disconnected facts concerning nonhuman animal forms life, cognition, evolution, thereby bridging material engagement perspectives. doing so, it not only solves problems proposes directions investigation, but also demands revisions each.

Language: Английский

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Preface to second edition

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. ix - x

Published: Dec. 13, 2024

Extract A year after the two hundredth anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, evolutionary accounts human behaviour are as prevalent ever. Such also remain remarkably contentious, still attracting legions hostile criticism and exciting vigorous, impassioned defences. Whether you an admirer or not, there can be no doubt that field has retained a high profile, both within outside academia, it remains fertile. Nonetheless, in eight years since first edition was completed, great deal changed. In many non-trivial respects, virtually all domains behavioural sciences have made significant progress. We grateful to Oxford University Press for providing us with opportunity produce second recount these changes. The last been quite extraordinary period. For instance, genome sequenced, dramatic implications sciences, we discuss at some length this book. Important advances our understanding recent evolution, which affected from outside. Significant developments occurred field, such broadening psychology methodology, appearance cultural evolution experimentation, application phylogenetic approaches culture. Unfortunately, rapid progress not matched memetics. To reflect changing literature, Chapter 6, previously devoted memes, restyled chapter, memes just making up small part.

Language: Английский

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Regulatory and coding sequences of TRNP1 co-evolve with brain size and cortical folding in mammals

eLife, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: March 22, 2023

Brain size and cortical folding have increased decreased recurrently during mammalian evolution. Identifying genetic elements whose sequence or functional properties co-evolve with these traits can provide unique information on evolutionary developmental mechanisms. A good candidate for such a comparative approach is TRNP1 , as it controls proliferation of neural progenitors in mice ferrets. Here, we investigate the contribution both regulatory coding sequences to brain over 30 mammals. We find that rate protein evolution ( ω ) significantly correlates size, slightly less much body size. This correlation stronger than >95% random control proteins. co-evolution likely affecting activity, from species larger brains more induce higher rates stem cells. Furthermore, compare activity putative cis-regulatory (CREs) massively parallel reporter assay identify one CRE co-evolves Old World monkeys apes. Our analyses indicate changes were positively selected either cause consequence increases folding. They also an example how phylogenetic approaches inform biological mechanisms, especially when combined molecular phenotypes across several species.

Language: Английский

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Meaning-making behavior in a small-brained hominin,Homo naledi, from the late Pleistocene: contexts and evolutionary implications

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 5, 2023

Abstract Explorations in the Dinaledi Subsystem of Rising Star cave system have yielded some earliest evidence a mortuary practice hominins. Because is attributable to small-brained Homo naledi , these analyses call into question several assumptions about behavioral and cognitive evolution Pleistocene The from Subsystem, at other locations across may widen phylogenetic breadth mortuary, possibly funerary, behaviors. These discoveries also associate creation meaning making increased complexity with hominin species, challenging certain assertions role encephalization cognition human evolution. We suggest that socio-cognitive niche more diverse than previously thought. If true, technological, meaning-making activities, advances are not associated solely larger brained members genus . One-Sentence Summary Evidence for complex behaviors large brains responsible manifestation human-like complexity.

Language: Английский

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Burials and engravings in a small-brained hominin, Homo naledi, from the late Pleistocene: contexts and evolutionary implications

Published: July 12, 2023

Data from recent explorations in the Dinaledi subsystem illustrates one of earliest examples a mortuary practice hominins and offers evidence multiple interments funerary actions, as well early creation meaning making by hominin. The hominin undertaking these behaviors was small-brained Homo naledi . These data call into question several key assumptions about behavioral cognitive evolution Pleistocene hominins. push back temporal origins associate with species thus challenge role importance encephalization human evolution. This suggests that socio-cognitive niche its relation to meaning-making activities is more diverse than previously thought. association subterranean spaces accessed modified small brained impacts assertations technological advances are associated solely larger brains.Burials related alter our understandings

Language: Английский

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Connectome topology of mammalian brains and its relationship to taxonomy and phylogeny

Frontiers in Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16

Published: Jan. 11, 2023

Network models of anatomical connections allow for the extraction quantitative features describing brain organization, and their comparison across brains from different species. Such comparisons can inform our understanding between-species differences in architecture be compared to existing taxonomies phylogenies. Here we performed a comparative analysis using MaMI database (Tel Aviv University), collection networks reconstructed ex vivo diffusion MRI spanning 125 species 12 taxonomic orders or superorders. We used broad range metrics measure between-mammal distances compare these estimates separation as derived taxonomy phylogeny. found that within-taxonomy order network are significantly closer than between-taxonomy distances, this relation holds several measures distance. Furthermore, estimate evolutionary divergence between species, obtained phylogenetic 10,000 plausible trees. The were rank-correlated with times, creating distribution coefficients demonstrate positive correlations distances. Collectively, analyses species-level organization scales informational sources: relate MRI, genotyping data.

Language: Английский

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There are a million ways to be a woman and a million ways to be a man: Gender differences across personality nuances and nations

Published: Nov. 16, 2023

Gender differences in personality are typically summarised using broad domains.To acknowledge greater multidimensionality of traits, we studied genderdifferences on different levels the hierarchy. Using data spanning 74 countriesand collected with four inventories, compared multivariate and univariatepredictability gender from aggregate traits domains, facets, unaggregated items. Ourresults suggest that many specific to narrow geographicalcontexts. While is accurately predictable by aggregating numerous small multiple predicting individual virtuallyimpossible, making simplistic statements about inconsistent withdata.

Language: Английский

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Evolutionary–developmental (evo-devo) dynamics of hominin brain size

Nature Human Behaviour, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 27, 2024

Brain size tripled in the human lineage over four million years, but why this occurred remains uncertain. Here, to study what caused brain expansion, I mathematically model evolutionary and developmental (evo-devo) dynamics of hominin size. The recovers (1) evolution body sizes seven species starting from australopithecine scale, (2) brain-body allometry (3) major patterns development evolution. show that expansion recovered is not by direct selection for its genetic correlation with developmentally late preovulatory ovarian follicles. This generated if individuals experience a challenging ecology seemingly cumulative culture, among other conditions. These findings exceptionally adaptive traits may be primarily them constraints divert selection.

Language: Английский

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