Animal Learning and Cognition, Hove, Psychology. Press, 3rd Edition ... Kolb and
Whishaw, Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology. –Chapter 2. • Pearce ...
Reading Essential Reading:
PS3002
Brain and Cognition Carlo De Lillo Room: 005 HWB Consultaion time: Tue & Thu 2.30PM-3.30PM Tel. 229 7193 E-mail:
[email protected]
– Gazzaniga, M.S.,Ivry R.B., and Mangun G.R. (2002), Cognitive Neuroscience, New York, Norton.2nd Edition. – Pearce, J. (2008). Animal Learning and Cognition, Hove, Psychology Press, 3rd Edition – Lewontin R.C. (1998). The evolution of cognition: questions we will never answer. In: Scarbourough and Sternberg (Eds.), An Invitation to Cognitive Science, Vol.4, MIT Press, pp. 107-132 – John L. Bradshaw (1997). Human evolution: A neuropsychological perspective. Hove, Psychology Press. – Hampton, R.R. (2001). Rhesus monkeys know when they remember. Proceedings of the New York Academy of Science (PNAS), 98(9): 5359-5362. Available on line : www.PNAS.org
Additional reading: – Kolb, B. and Whishaw I.Q. (2003), Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology, Freeman. – De Lillo, C. (1996) The serial organisation of behaviour…., Behaviour and Brain Science, 81, 1-17
Lecture 1 Evolution and Cognition
Topics covered • Evolution and Cognition • Serial order and behaviour • Motor control • Functions of the frontal lobe • Speech and praxis • Consciousness
Evolutionary perspective The cognitive system as a collection of modules produced by specific adaptations Adaptations can be traced back to specific periods of our natural history? e.g. upper Pleistocene 100,000 years ago hunter-gatherers
Reading •Gazzaniga et al., Cognitive Neuroscience –Chapter 14 • Scarbourough and Sternberg (Eds.), An Invitation to Cognitive Science –Chapter 3 • Bradshaw, Human Evolution - Chapters 2 and 3 • Kolb and Whishaw, Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology –Chapter 2 • Pearce, Animal Learning and Cognition –Chapter 1
An example often quoted in support of evolutionary psychology Cosmides and Tooby (1992) Wason’s selection task
D
F
3
5
if 3 on one side, then D on the other
Exploring the origins of our brain functions helps the understanding of our cognitive capabilities and limitations
which cards to turn over to see if the rule has been violated ? people find it difficult
Social contract version
The theory of evolution Beer
Soda
25
17
to drink alcohol you must be over 18 which card to turn over to check if the rule has been violated people find it easy According to Cosmides and Tooby (1992) cheater detection module adaptation to pressures of social life in Pleistocene
Approaches
Historical - distance in time of common ancestor Functional - adaptation Constraints - not all possible changes can occur
Fossils records Australopithecus 2-3 million years cranial capacity 450 cc
? ?
Homo erectus 1.6 million -400.00 years cranial capacity 1000 cc
?
Homo abilis 1.5-2 million years cranial capacity 750 cc
Homo sapiens 100.00 years cranial capacity 1200 cc
Are they related ? What can we infer about their cognition ?
Three main principles - Variation - Hereditability - Natural selection
Methods to estimate temporal distance from ancestors
Assuming random mutations Fossils records (morphology) Biochemical methods DNA
Evolution of cognition Lack of fossil records Comparative method Cognitive skills of existing species Homology trait carried over from common ancestor Analogy trait with same function (not necessarily homologous) Convergent evolution New Old world world Apes Humans Tree Prosimians monkeys monkeys Rodents shews etc.
Origin of primates
Trait A
Trait B
Prosimians
Absent
Present
New world monkeys
Absent
Absent
Old world monkeys
Present
Absent
Apes
Present
Present
Humans
Present
Absent
Adaptation Probably only analogous
Current functions and past adaptations Exaptation Current functions and survival rate What is genetically determined? Constraints Animals have similar body plans Natural selection is constrained by the structures available
Probably homologous
Summary and conclusions
Why is our brain and cognition organised as it is? Fossil records Homology and analogy Exaptation What is genetically determined ? Reproductive advantage of current traits Comparative behavioural studies
