Chapter 8: Primate Histories and The Evolution of Intelligence Flashcards
is there a positive or negative correlation between brain size and lifespan?
positive (larger brain = longer lifespan)
define encephalization
an increase in brain size
what is life history theory?
it uses observations about an organisms lifestyle to try and determine how it achieves reproductive success
what is r selected?
- “live fast, die young”
- focused on reproduction
- large litters
- short gestation
what is k selected?
- “slow and steady wins the race”
- focused on carrying capacity
- long gestation
- altricial young
define senescence
the process of deterioration with age
what can lead to a change in life history?
a change in environment
do primates have long or short life histories ?
long
what is the social intelligence hypothesis?
the hypothesis that primates large brains are due to the complex social interactions we face
what is the behavioural flexibility hypothesis?
the hypothesis that primates have large brains because of various ecological challenges that require behavioural adaptations
what is the extractive foraging hypothesis?
the hypothesis that primates have large brains because the world requires complex processing
what is the purpose of the neocortex?
related to sociality and problem solving
what are the four main brain lobes?
frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal
what is the hindbrain often referred to as?
the primitive brain
what is theory of mind?
the ability to understand mental states (emotions, thoughts, intents, beliefs, knowledge) of both ourselves and others
