Primate Cognition

Question 1

Do primates have large brains T or F

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Brains are 2% of our body weight but account for x % of our metabolic cost

Answer 2

20%

Question 3

How are big brains in primates costly? (3)

Answer 3

1) Producing babies w large brains is expensive
2) Large brains = learning = costly
3) Obstetrical dilemma

Question 4

Big brains takeaway costly -

Answer 4

Natural selection is unlikely to select for a large brain that cost so much unless It is worth it / adaptive

Question 5

what are the 3 sections of the brain?

Answer 5

1) Hindbrain
2) Midbrain
3) Forbrain

Question 6

what are the 3 sections of the brain? Hindbrain

Answer 6

Primitive fundamental coordination/function of the brain

Question 7

what are the 3 sections of the brain? Midbrain

Answer 7

Sensory inputs

Question 8

what are the 3 sections of the brain? Forbrain

Answer 8

Largest part in primates and deals with controls of cognitive function and higher thinking

Question 9

what are the 3 sections of the brain? Forbrain is also called the

Answer 9

neocortex

Question 10

which part of the brain has expanded the most in primates? And what differs the most in primate evolution from other primates is

Answer 10

Neocortex ratio

Question 11

What does the Neocortex involve? (4)

Answer 11

1) Sensory Perception
2) Cognition
3) spatial reasoning
4) Language

Question 12

What is the NeoCortex ratio?

Answer 12

Neocortex volume / volume of rest of brain - highest in primates

Question 13

Benefits of NeoCortex? (3)

Answer 13

1) Problem Solving
2) Learning
3) Do not depend on solely instinct

Question 14

What selection pressures favoured behavioural flexibility (larger neocortex) in primates (2)

Answer 14

1) Ecological Intelligence Hypothesis

2) Social Intelligence Hypothesis

Question 15

What selection pressures favoured behavioural flexibility (larger neocortex) in primates -Ecological Intelligence Hypothesis (2)

Answer 15

1) Associated with locating and processing inaccessible food items
2) Mental Maps & extracting forage

Question 16

What selection pressures favoured behavioural flexibility (larger neocortex) in primates -Social Intelligence Hypothesis

Answer 16

Social factors associated with life in a large complex social group

Question 17

What selection pressures favoured behavioural flexibility (larger neocortex) in primates -Ecological Intelligence Hypothesis - Mental Maps & extracting forage

Answer 17

1) Important for frugivores because of its distribution in time and space
2) Also to look at toxicity, ripeness, and nutritious content