Karl Pribram, the James Arthur Lectures, and What Makes Us Human
2006
What Makes Us Human
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Ian Tattersall
Primary Institution: American Museum of Natural History
Hypothesis
The emergence of modern human symbolic cognition is a complex process influenced by cultural factors rather than solely by natural selection.
Conclusion
The study suggests that symbolic thought in humans likely emerged from a cultural stimulus rather than a gradual evolutionary process.
Supporting Evidence
- Modern human symbolic cognition likely arose from cultural developments rather than gradual evolutionary changes.
- Neanderthals, despite having large brains, did not exhibit symbolic behaviors, indicating that brain size alone does not equate to cognitive complexity.
- The archaeological record shows a disconnect between the emergence of new hominid species and the appearance of new tool-making techniques.
Takeaway
Humans think and communicate in special ways that make us different from other animals, and this ability likely came from our culture, not just evolution.
Limitations
The study relies on archaeological records, which may not fully capture the complexity of human cognitive evolution.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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