Human Origins and Development of Cognitive Abilities

Question 1

Hominid evolution 6 million years ago

Answer 1

Bipedalism- locomotion with two limbs

Question 2

Hominid evolution 4.4 million years ago

Answer 2

Brain size 20% of modern human brain
Ardipthecus ramidus adapted for bipedalism and life in trees

Question 3

Hominid evolution 3-4 million years ago

Answer 3

Brain size 35% of the human brain
Australopithecus afarensis- walked upright

Question 4

Hominid evolution 2.4-1.4 million years ago

Answer 4

Brain size 50% of modern human brain
Homo habilis- strong hands used with primitive stone tools

Question 5

Hominid evolution 1.89 million- 110,000 years ago

Answer 5

Brain size 60-70% of modern human brain
Homo erectus- used fire and bases campuses

Question 6

Hominid evolution 400,000 - 40,000 years ago

Answer 6

Larger brains and body mass than modern humans
Homo neanderthalensis- sophisticated tools, social structures and possibly language

Question 7

Hominid evolution 300,000 years ago to present day

Answer 7

Homo sapiens
Specialised composite tools and transition to producing food

Question 8

Adaptation and selective pressures

Answer 8

Ancestors had to adapt to changing environments, leading to selective pressure for learning and problem solving

Question 9

Limitations of archaeological methodology

Answer 9

No experiments
Understanding of what happened and when is constantly under revision as more finds are revealed

Question 10

Darwin (1871) on development of language

Answer 10

Human language has a clear innate basis
Precursors to language are shown in modern day, non-human primates

Question 11

Savage- Rumbaugh (1990s) and development of language

Answer 11

Taught chimps how to use sign language, syntax and hundreds of simple words
Common ancestors had capacity for basic communication

Question 12

Bipedalism and speech

Answer 12

Bipedalism may have let to anatomical changes that enabled speech

Question 13

Adaptive advantages of language

Answer 13

Warning of danger
Communicating good hunting places
Making tools
Promoting complex social structures

Question 14

Chomsky (1950s/60s) and innate language

Answer 14

There are innate mechanisms for language, and universal grammar for all languages

Question 15

Chomsky (1950s/60s) and children

Answer 15

Children learn language easily
Spontaneously create novel constructions
Create new languages based on a combination of existing ones

Question 16

Gäslund (2005) and development of language

Answer 16

Protolanguage (early language) consisted of “help” “give me” etc
Developed into nouns for things such as food, animal species, locations and then into words for more abstract compounds, such as “today/yesterday”
Modern languages may have developed alongside complex abilities around 40,000 years ago

Question 17

Technology and art

Answer 17

Precursors for tool and intellect were present in common ancestors
Evidence of tool use in other species shows that some basic and culturally learnt tool use doesn’t require language

Question 18

Development of technology

Answer 18

Tool making is thought to have begun earlier than known examples of archaeological evidence, with organic substances that biodegraded

Question 19

Development of cognitive skills and abilities

Answer 19

5000 years ago writing was invented
Industrial revolution
Technological revolution

Question 20

Cultural revolution

Answer 20

The ability to adapt to changes in the environment, utilising our genetically evolved capacity for learning and language

Question 21

Cause of rapid cultural evolution

Answer 21

Facilitated by enhanced global communication, though sources as written language