Lecture 11

Question 1

What do comparative scientists believe?

Answer 1

• The human mind has been evolved
• The genetic and neurological basis of higher cognitive capacities

Question 2

What is the history of comparative cognition?

Answer 2

• Evolution of the mind and physical evolution
• Arguments of discontinuity and continuity

Question 3

Describe the Clever Hans phenomenon

Answer 3

Clever Hans was a horse who could ‘solve’ arithmetical problems. Clever Hans tapped his hoof to answer questions. Clever Hans stopped tapping when he noticed the people react to his answer

Question 4

What is the Machiavellian hypothesis?

Answer 4

That social intelligence is a prime mover
- The hypothesis looked at the association between neocortex ratio and group size
- Social mammals live longer

Question 5

What do animals do that show social intelligence?

Answer 5

• Group living
• Grooming
• Social hierarchies
• Keeping track of third-party relations
• Tactical deception

Question 6

When do kids pass the MSR (mirror self-recognition test)

Answer 6

Around 18 months

Question 7

Has there been success in other animals?

Answer 7

Chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans (the great apes)

Question 8

Do smaller apes (gibbons) pass the MSR test?

Answer 8

No gibbon showed any mark directed behaviour.

Question 9

What is homology?

Answer 9

Homology is similarity due to common origin at all levels
(evolution)

Question 10

What is continuity vs discontinuity?

Answer 10

Discontinuity is religious beliefs can be used to justify how some people treat animals
Continuity is believing that Darwin was right and shows that animals work to their capacity