Michael Platt and Asif Ghazanfar (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195326598
- eISBN:
- 9780199864904
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195326598.001.0001
- Subject:
- Psychology, Neuropsychology, Evolutionary Psychology
This edited volume bridges the epistemological gap between primate ethologists and primate neurobiologists. Experts in several fields review work ranging from primate foraging behavior, to the ...
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This edited volume bridges the epistemological gap between primate ethologists and primate neurobiologists. Experts in several fields review work ranging from primate foraging behavior, to the neurophysiology of motor control; from vocal communication, to the functions of the auditory cortex. This synthesis of the cognitive, ethological, and neurobiological approaches to primate behavior yields an understanding of our primate cousins to date, and sheds light on the evolutionary development of human behavior and cognition. The book contains chapters by primatologists, comparative psychologists, and neuroscientists, who have developed new ideas and experimental approaches, and who have applied these to a variety of issues dealing with primate behavior and neurobiology. The volume collects in a single book both basic and cutting-edge information on primate behavior and cognition, neurobiology, and the emerging discipline of neuroethology.Less
This edited volume bridges the epistemological gap between primate ethologists and primate neurobiologists. Experts in several fields review work ranging from primate foraging behavior, to the neurophysiology of motor control; from vocal communication, to the functions of the auditory cortex. This synthesis of the cognitive, ethological, and neurobiological approaches to primate behavior yields an understanding of our primate cousins to date, and sheds light on the evolutionary development of human behavior and cognition. The book contains chapters by primatologists, comparative psychologists, and neuroscientists, who have developed new ideas and experimental approaches, and who have applied these to a variety of issues dealing with primate behavior and neurobiology. The volume collects in a single book both basic and cutting-edge information on primate behavior and cognition, neurobiology, and the emerging discipline of neuroethology.
Bryan Shorrocks
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198570660
- eISBN:
- 9780191717680
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198570660.003.0003
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
This chapter takes a brief look at the ecology and behaviour of the major mammals in the dynamics of the savannah ecosystem. Other animals (insects and birds) are mentioned briefly. First, the ...
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This chapter takes a brief look at the ecology and behaviour of the major mammals in the dynamics of the savannah ecosystem. Other animals (insects and birds) are mentioned briefly. First, the chapter examines the herbivores. This includes the migratory species of the Serengeti ecosystem (wildebeest, plains zebra and Thomson's gazelle) plus elephant, giraffe, hippopotamus, buffalo, Grant's gazelle, impala, hartebeest, topi (tiang & tsessebe), eland, rhinoceros, bushbuck, steenbok, oryx, gerenuk, dik dik, and kudu. Each species description includes details of size and weight, diet, behaviour, breeding, conservation status, and a distribution map. Biological topics that impinge upon diet and food selection, such as metabolism and body size, body size and mouth width, the contrast between ruminants and non-ruminants, are examined. Second, the chapter examines the major carnivores. These include lion, spotted hyaena, striped and brown hyaena, cheetah, leopard, wild dog, three jackals, foxes, and mongooses. Again diet, plus hunting techniques and territory characteristics and behaviour are briefly discussed, and a distribution map provided. Two savannah primates: baboons and vervet monkeys, are detailed.Less
This chapter takes a brief look at the ecology and behaviour of the major mammals in the dynamics of the savannah ecosystem. Other animals (insects and birds) are mentioned briefly. First, the chapter examines the herbivores. This includes the migratory species of the Serengeti ecosystem (wildebeest, plains zebra and Thomson's gazelle) plus elephant, giraffe, hippopotamus, buffalo, Grant's gazelle, impala, hartebeest, topi (tiang & tsessebe), eland, rhinoceros, bushbuck, steenbok, oryx, gerenuk, dik dik, and kudu. Each species description includes details of size and weight, diet, behaviour, breeding, conservation status, and a distribution map. Biological topics that impinge upon diet and food selection, such as metabolism and body size, body size and mouth width, the contrast between ruminants and non-ruminants, are examined. Second, the chapter examines the major carnivores. These include lion, spotted hyaena, striped and brown hyaena, cheetah, leopard, wild dog, three jackals, foxes, and mongooses. Again diet, plus hunting techniques and territory characteristics and behaviour are briefly discussed, and a distribution map provided. Two savannah primates: baboons and vervet monkeys, are detailed.
Michael L. Platt and Asif A. Ghazanfar
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195326598
- eISBN:
- 9780199864904
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195326598.003.0001
- Subject:
- Psychology, Neuropsychology, Evolutionary Psychology
This introductory chapter begins with a brief discussion of the motivation for the book, which aims to bridge the epistemological gap between ethologists and neurobiologists who study primates by ...
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This introductory chapter begins with a brief discussion of the motivation for the book, which aims to bridge the epistemological gap between ethologists and neurobiologists who study primates by collecting, for the first time in a single book, both basic and cutting-edge information on primate behavior and cognition, neurobiology, and the emerging discipline of neuroethology. An overview of the subsequent chapters is presented.Less
This introductory chapter begins with a brief discussion of the motivation for the book, which aims to bridge the epistemological gap between ethologists and neurobiologists who study primates by collecting, for the first time in a single book, both basic and cutting-edge information on primate behavior and cognition, neurobiology, and the emerging discipline of neuroethology. An overview of the subsequent chapters is presented.
Matt Cartmill
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195326598
- eISBN:
- 9780199864904
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195326598.003.0002
- Subject:
- Psychology, Neuropsychology, Evolutionary Psychology
This chapter discusses current understanding of primate phylogeny. It argues that a cladistic approach based on genetics, supplemented by morphological and behavioral data, offers unique promise for ...
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This chapter discusses current understanding of primate phylogeny. It argues that a cladistic approach based on genetics, supplemented by morphological and behavioral data, offers unique promise for organizing relationships among living primates, as well as their pattern of descent from a common ancestor. Understanding evolutionary relationships within the Order Primates is a key starting point for the comparative study of primate behavior and neurobiology.Less
This chapter discusses current understanding of primate phylogeny. It argues that a cladistic approach based on genetics, supplemented by morphological and behavioral data, offers unique promise for organizing relationships among living primates, as well as their pattern of descent from a common ancestor. Understanding evolutionary relationships within the Order Primates is a key starting point for the comparative study of primate behavior and neurobiology.
Daniel Schmitt
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195326598
- eISBN:
- 9780199864904
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195326598.003.0003
- Subject:
- Psychology, Neuropsychology, Evolutionary Psychology
This chapter argues that primates (including humans) show patterns of locomotion and locomotor control that are different from all other mammals. Changes in limb function associated with the adaptive ...
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This chapter argues that primates (including humans) show patterns of locomotion and locomotor control that are different from all other mammals. Changes in limb function associated with the adaptive diversification of locomotor patterns in the primate clade probably required the evolution of profound specializations in the neural control of locomotion. Most of these putative specializations remain unknown or unexplored. This realization suggests that comparative studies of the neuroethology of locomotion in primates may offer unique insights into motor control, and such insights may have implications for fields as diverse as robotics and the clinical treatment of paralysis with brain-machine interface devices.Less
This chapter argues that primates (including humans) show patterns of locomotion and locomotor control that are different from all other mammals. Changes in limb function associated with the adaptive diversification of locomotor patterns in the primate clade probably required the evolution of profound specializations in the neural control of locomotion. Most of these putative specializations remain unknown or unexplored. This realization suggests that comparative studies of the neuroethology of locomotion in primates may offer unique insights into motor control, and such insights may have implications for fields as diverse as robotics and the clinical treatment of paralysis with brain-machine interface devices.
Klaus Zuberbühler and Karline Janmaat
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195326598
- eISBN:
- 9780199864904
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195326598.003.0004
- Subject:
- Psychology, Neuropsychology, Evolutionary Psychology
This chapter reviews recent studies of primate foraging behavior in the wild. It suggests that the information processing problems primates encounter in foraging, particularly searching for ripe ...
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This chapter reviews recent studies of primate foraging behavior in the wild. It suggests that the information processing problems primates encounter in foraging, particularly searching for ripe edible fruits, may have provided the impetus for the evolution of enhanced cognitive skills such as cognitive mapping and forecasting the ripeness of fruits based on the recent history of weather.Less
This chapter reviews recent studies of primate foraging behavior in the wild. It suggests that the information processing problems primates encounter in foraging, particularly searching for ripe edible fruits, may have provided the impetus for the evolution of enhanced cognitive skills such as cognitive mapping and forecasting the ripeness of fruits based on the recent history of weather.
Atsushi Iriki, Yumiko Yamazaki, and Osamu Sakura
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195326598
- eISBN:
- 9780199864904
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195326598.003.0030
- Subject:
- Psychology, Neuropsychology, Evolutionary Psychology
This chapter reviews neurophysiological studies of how primates learn to extend their actions with tools. It shows that learning to use tools modifies not only the response properties of neurons ...
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This chapter reviews neurophysiological studies of how primates learn to extend their actions with tools. It shows that learning to use tools modifies not only the response properties of neurons involved in motor planning and sensory-motor transformation, but also their anatomical connections. Moreover, tool learning prepares and adapts the primate brain to learn more complex combinatorial tool use techniques. Tool use learning in primates may provide the scaffolding upon which other more complex aspects of cognition are built.Less
This chapter reviews neurophysiological studies of how primates learn to extend their actions with tools. It shows that learning to use tools modifies not only the response properties of neurons involved in motor planning and sensory-motor transformation, but also their anatomical connections. Moreover, tool learning prepares and adapts the primate brain to learn more complex combinatorial tool use techniques. Tool use learning in primates may provide the scaffolding upon which other more complex aspects of cognition are built.
Michael L. Arnold
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199539581
- eISBN:
- 9780191716225
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199539581.003.0002
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
Instances of hybridization, introgression, and hybrid speciation in primate groups that are more or less distantly related to our own species are appropriate analogies for understanding the ...
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Instances of hybridization, introgression, and hybrid speciation in primate groups that are more or less distantly related to our own species are appropriate analogies for understanding the likelihood of reticulate evolution in the clade that includes Homo sapiens. This chapter begins by constructing the analogy using primate groups from Central and South America. It then continues by considering Old World primate clades including lemurs, lorises, langurs, baboons, guenons, mangabeys, macaques, gibbons, and orangutans.Less
Instances of hybridization, introgression, and hybrid speciation in primate groups that are more or less distantly related to our own species are appropriate analogies for understanding the likelihood of reticulate evolution in the clade that includes Homo sapiens. This chapter begins by constructing the analogy using primate groups from Central and South America. It then continues by considering Old World primate clades including lemurs, lorises, langurs, baboons, guenons, mangabeys, macaques, gibbons, and orangutans.
Maggie Tallerman
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199545872
- eISBN:
- 9780191720369
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199545872.003.0010
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics, Psycholinguistics / Neurolinguistics / Cognitive Linguistics
The human mental lexicon is the repository of many tens of thousands of distinct vocabulary items, and of stored information about their word classes and their selectional and subcategorization ...
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The human mental lexicon is the repository of many tens of thousands of distinct vocabulary items, and of stored information about their word classes and their selectional and subcategorization requirements. Even in its simplest form — before the syntactic capacity emerges — the lexicon requires a number of distinctive characteristics to have evolved, such as the ability to link an abstract symbol to the concept it represents, the ability to retrieve lexical items from storage quickly, and for that retrieval to be under voluntary control. This chapter investigates the origins of some of the basic features of the lexicon, focusing on the prerequisites for the production and comprehension of a simple protolanguage. It proposes that a word-based lexicon evolved by building on ancient conceptual categories which are likely shared by many primates. This lexicon also utilized a pre-existing semantic organization, and built on the hierarchical structure already in place in primate cognition.Less
The human mental lexicon is the repository of many tens of thousands of distinct vocabulary items, and of stored information about their word classes and their selectional and subcategorization requirements. Even in its simplest form — before the syntactic capacity emerges — the lexicon requires a number of distinctive characteristics to have evolved, such as the ability to link an abstract symbol to the concept it represents, the ability to retrieve lexical items from storage quickly, and for that retrieval to be under voluntary control. This chapter investigates the origins of some of the basic features of the lexicon, focusing on the prerequisites for the production and comprehension of a simple protolanguage. It proposes that a word-based lexicon evolved by building on ancient conceptual categories which are likely shared by many primates. This lexicon also utilized a pre-existing semantic organization, and built on the hierarchical structure already in place in primate cognition.
Wendy K. Wilkins
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199545872
- eISBN:
- 9780191720369
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199545872.003.0015
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics, Psycholinguistics / Neurolinguistics / Cognitive Linguistics
This chapter sets out a strategy for investigating the evolutionary biology of language. Central here is the following thesis: In order to understand the emergence of linguistic capacity as an ...
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This chapter sets out a strategy for investigating the evolutionary biology of language. Central here is the following thesis: In order to understand the emergence of linguistic capacity as an innovation in the hominid line, it is necessary to work backwards from language-relevant anatomy. The assumption is that each piece of the anatomical mosaic will have a different evolutionary story, and that each story will be more or less evident in ancestral species, depending on the availability of biological evidence in the fossil record. The use of this strategy is illustrated by discussing the evolution of Broca's area and the parietal-occipital-temporal junction (POT) plus Wernicke's area — areas of the brain that are ‘necessary, if not sufficient, for language’. It is argued that the complex comprising Broca's area and the POT was evolutionarily shaped to improve the neurological control of the hand and thumb, and became available for exaptation after the divergence of the hominid and pongid lineages. This position gains further support from recent work on primate neuroanatomy.Less
This chapter sets out a strategy for investigating the evolutionary biology of language. Central here is the following thesis: In order to understand the emergence of linguistic capacity as an innovation in the hominid line, it is necessary to work backwards from language-relevant anatomy. The assumption is that each piece of the anatomical mosaic will have a different evolutionary story, and that each story will be more or less evident in ancestral species, depending on the availability of biological evidence in the fossil record. The use of this strategy is illustrated by discussing the evolution of Broca's area and the parietal-occipital-temporal junction (POT) plus Wernicke's area — areas of the brain that are ‘necessary, if not sufficient, for language’. It is argued that the complex comprising Broca's area and the POT was evolutionarily shaped to improve the neurological control of the hand and thumb, and became available for exaptation after the divergence of the hominid and pongid lineages. This position gains further support from recent work on primate neuroanatomy.
Julia Lehmann, Katherine Andrews, and Robin Dunbar
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780197264522
- eISBN:
- 9780191734724
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197264522.003.0004
- Subject:
- Psychology, Evolutionary Psychology
Most primates are intensely social and spend a large amount of time servicing social relationships. The social brain hypothesis suggests that the evolution of the primate brain has been driven by the ...
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Most primates are intensely social and spend a large amount of time servicing social relationships. The social brain hypothesis suggests that the evolution of the primate brain has been driven by the necessity of dealing with increased social complexity. This chapter uses social network analysis to analyse the relationship between primate group size, neocortex ratio and several social network metrics. Findings suggest that social complexity may derive from managing indirect social relationships, i.e. relationships in which a female is not directly involved, which may pose high cognitive demands on primates. The discussion notes that a large neocortex allows individuals to form intense social bonds with some group members while at the same time enabling them to manage and monitor less intense indirect relationships without frequent direct involvement with each individual of the social group.Less
Most primates are intensely social and spend a large amount of time servicing social relationships. The social brain hypothesis suggests that the evolution of the primate brain has been driven by the necessity of dealing with increased social complexity. This chapter uses social network analysis to analyse the relationship between primate group size, neocortex ratio and several social network metrics. Findings suggest that social complexity may derive from managing indirect social relationships, i.e. relationships in which a female is not directly involved, which may pose high cognitive demands on primates. The discussion notes that a large neocortex allows individuals to form intense social bonds with some group members while at the same time enabling them to manage and monitor less intense indirect relationships without frequent direct involvement with each individual of the social group.
Amy F.T. Arnsten, Susheel Vijayraghavan, Min Wang, Nao J. Gamo, and Constantinos D. Paspalas
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195373035
- eISBN:
- 9780199865543
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195373035.003.0016
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Molecular and Cellular Systems, History of Neuroscience
This chapter summarizes current knowledge of dopamine (DA) and DA receptor localization in primate prefrontal cortex (PFC), and the powerful influences of DA on PFC physiology and cognitive function. ...
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This chapter summarizes current knowledge of dopamine (DA) and DA receptor localization in primate prefrontal cortex (PFC), and the powerful influences of DA on PFC physiology and cognitive function. It begins with an overview of PFC function, physiology, and circuitry. It then discusses the anatomy of DA and its receptors in the primate PFC, the effects of DA on PFC physiology and function, and the role of changes in DA transmission in PFC in several neuropsychiatric disorders.Less
This chapter summarizes current knowledge of dopamine (DA) and DA receptor localization in primate prefrontal cortex (PFC), and the powerful influences of DA on PFC physiology and cognitive function. It begins with an overview of PFC function, physiology, and circuitry. It then discusses the anatomy of DA and its receptors in the primate PFC, the effects of DA on PFC physiology and function, and the role of changes in DA transmission in PFC in several neuropsychiatric disorders.
Bruce M. Hood and Laurie R. Santos (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199216895
- eISBN:
- 9780191696039
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199216895.001.0001
- Subject:
- Psychology, Developmental Psychology
Do humans start life with the capacity to detect and mentally represent the objects around them? Or is our object knowledge instead derived only as the result of prolonged experience with the ...
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Do humans start life with the capacity to detect and mentally represent the objects around them? Or is our object knowledge instead derived only as the result of prolonged experience with the external world? Are we simply able to perceive objects by watching their actions in the world, or do we have to act on objects ourselves in order to learn about their behavior? Finally, do we come to know all aspects of objects in the same way, or are some aspects of our object understanding more epistemologically privileged than others? This book presents an up-to-date survey of the research into how the developing human mind understands the world of objects and their properties. It presents some of the findings from research groups in the field of object representation approached from the perspective of developmental and comparative psychology. Topics covered in the book all address some aspect of what objects are from a psychological perspective; how humans and animals conceive what they are made of; what properties they possess; how we count them and how we categorize them; even how the difference between animate and inanimate objects leads to different expectations. The chapters also cover the variety of methodologies and techniques that must be used to study infants, young children, and non-human primates and the value of combining approaches to discovering what each group knows.Less
Do humans start life with the capacity to detect and mentally represent the objects around them? Or is our object knowledge instead derived only as the result of prolonged experience with the external world? Are we simply able to perceive objects by watching their actions in the world, or do we have to act on objects ourselves in order to learn about their behavior? Finally, do we come to know all aspects of objects in the same way, or are some aspects of our object understanding more epistemologically privileged than others? This book presents an up-to-date survey of the research into how the developing human mind understands the world of objects and their properties. It presents some of the findings from research groups in the field of object representation approached from the perspective of developmental and comparative psychology. Topics covered in the book all address some aspect of what objects are from a psychological perspective; how humans and animals conceive what they are made of; what properties they possess; how we count them and how we categorize them; even how the difference between animate and inanimate objects leads to different expectations. The chapters also cover the variety of methodologies and techniques that must be used to study infants, young children, and non-human primates and the value of combining approaches to discovering what each group knows.
Charles L. Nunn and Sonia Altizer
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- April 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780198565857
- eISBN:
- 9780191728235
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198565857.003.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
This chapter begins by laying out the purpose of this book, which is to examine the links between parasitism and primate behaviour, ecology and evolution. A question central to this book is ‘what ...
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This chapter begins by laying out the purpose of this book, which is to examine the links between parasitism and primate behaviour, ecology and evolution. A question central to this book is ‘what factors influence disease risk’? In other words, what intrinsic host characteristics and environmental parameters determine the number and types of parasites infecting wild animals at the individual, population, and species levels? A second and related question is ‘how can animals reduce this risk’? The book also explores the implications of infectious disease in nonhuman primates for both public health and conservation concerns. Definitions are provided for the terms ‘parasite’, ‘disease’, and ‘disease risk’. The ecological drivers or primate sociality and fitness consequences of parasites in wild primate populations are discussed. An overview of the subsequent chapters is presented.Less
This chapter begins by laying out the purpose of this book, which is to examine the links between parasitism and primate behaviour, ecology and evolution. A question central to this book is ‘what factors influence disease risk’? In other words, what intrinsic host characteristics and environmental parameters determine the number and types of parasites infecting wild animals at the individual, population, and species levels? A second and related question is ‘how can animals reduce this risk’? The book also explores the implications of infectious disease in nonhuman primates for both public health and conservation concerns. Definitions are provided for the terms ‘parasite’, ‘disease’, and ‘disease risk’. The ecological drivers or primate sociality and fitness consequences of parasites in wild primate populations are discussed. An overview of the subsequent chapters is presented.
Suzanne N. Haber
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195373035
- eISBN:
- 9780199865543
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195373035.003.0004
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Molecular and Cellular Systems, History of Neuroscience
This chapter first briefly reviews the basic circuitry that underlies parallel processing. It then considers the anatomical basis for integration across different corticobasal ganglia circuits (with ...
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This chapter first briefly reviews the basic circuitry that underlies parallel processing. It then considers the anatomical basis for integration across different corticobasal ganglia circuits (with a particular emphasis on dopamine), and functional support for integrative processes. While the focus is on primate studies, key rodent experiments are also highlighted when primate data are unavailable.Less
This chapter first briefly reviews the basic circuitry that underlies parallel processing. It then considers the anatomical basis for integration across different corticobasal ganglia circuits (with a particular emphasis on dopamine), and functional support for integrative processes. While the focus is on primate studies, key rodent experiments are also highlighted when primate data are unavailable.
John R. Anderson
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195324259
- eISBN:
- 9780199786671
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195324259.003.0005
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Models and Architectures
Much of our cognitive architecture we share with other primates. The unique feature of the human mind is the ability to acquire nearly arbitrary competences that were not anticipated in our ...
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Much of our cognitive architecture we share with other primates. The unique feature of the human mind is the ability to acquire nearly arbitrary competences that were not anticipated in our evolutionary history. This is tied to our ability to learn efficiently from instruction, example, and exploration. This ability requires the ability to exercise abstract control over cognition and the ability to process complex relational patterns. This chapter describes the architectural support for these abilities and how they enable abstract control, generalization, and metacognition. High school algebra — a uniquely human competence — is used as a domain to illustrate these unique aspects of the human cognitive architecture.Less
Much of our cognitive architecture we share with other primates. The unique feature of the human mind is the ability to acquire nearly arbitrary competences that were not anticipated in our evolutionary history. This is tied to our ability to learn efficiently from instruction, example, and exploration. This ability requires the ability to exercise abstract control over cognition and the ability to process complex relational patterns. This chapter describes the architectural support for these abilities and how they enable abstract control, generalization, and metacognition. High school algebra — a uniquely human competence — is used as a domain to illustrate these unique aspects of the human cognitive architecture.
James Steele
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780197263112
- eISBN:
- 9780191734885
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197263112.003.0009
- Subject:
- Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology
This chapter reviews evidence for the evolution of primate asymmetries in brain morphology and in behaviour, including the fossil and archaeological record of human evolution. This evidence suggests ...
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This chapter reviews evidence for the evolution of primate asymmetries in brain morphology and in behaviour, including the fossil and archaeological record of human evolution. This evidence suggests that, while morphological asymmetries are conserved features of the human brain, human functional asymmetries are derived, at least in their degree and consistency. The discussion offers a partial explanation that takes account of allometric scaling in the evolution of brain size, neocortex size, and intra- and interhemispheric connectivity.Less
This chapter reviews evidence for the evolution of primate asymmetries in brain morphology and in behaviour, including the fossil and archaeological record of human evolution. This evidence suggests that, while morphological asymmetries are conserved features of the human brain, human functional asymmetries are derived, at least in their degree and consistency. The discussion offers a partial explanation that takes account of allometric scaling in the evolution of brain size, neocortex size, and intra- and interhemispheric connectivity.
A. D. (Bud) Craig
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691156767
- eISBN:
- 9781400852727
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691156767.003.0005
- Subject:
- Biology, Neurobiology
This chapter looks at the experiments that demonstrated in monkeys and humans the unforeseen lamina I pathway to the thalamus and its subsequent projection to the interoceptive cortex. The ascending ...
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This chapter looks at the experiments that demonstrated in monkeys and humans the unforeseen lamina I pathway to the thalamus and its subsequent projection to the interoceptive cortex. The ascending interoceptive thalamocortical pathway is phylogenetically unique to primates; it most likely arose in conjunction with the enormous encephalization associated with the emergence of the primate lineage. The existence of this pathway was a surprise to most investigators in the field of somatosensory neurobiology. As mentioned in chapter 1, a sensory representation of general feelings from the body had been envisioned by the German natural philosophers of the nineteenth century. However, that concept was superseded by the heuristic codification of nociception and the assignment of pain and temperature sensations to the somatosensory cortex. The chapter's findings rectify that misconception and substantiate the fundamental neurobiological distinction between interoception and exteroception at the thalamocortical level in the monkey and human.Less
This chapter looks at the experiments that demonstrated in monkeys and humans the unforeseen lamina I pathway to the thalamus and its subsequent projection to the interoceptive cortex. The ascending interoceptive thalamocortical pathway is phylogenetically unique to primates; it most likely arose in conjunction with the enormous encephalization associated with the emergence of the primate lineage. The existence of this pathway was a surprise to most investigators in the field of somatosensory neurobiology. As mentioned in chapter 1, a sensory representation of general feelings from the body had been envisioned by the German natural philosophers of the nineteenth century. However, that concept was superseded by the heuristic codification of nociception and the assignment of pain and temperature sensations to the somatosensory cortex. The chapter's findings rectify that misconception and substantiate the fundamental neurobiological distinction between interoception and exteroception at the thalamocortical level in the monkey and human.
Lynette A. Jones and Susan J. Lederman
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195173154
- eISBN:
- 9780199786749
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195173154.003.0002
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience
This chapter considers the evolutionary development of the hand within the context of changes in the structure and function of primate hands. The differences between modern human and nonhuman primate ...
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This chapter considers the evolutionary development of the hand within the context of changes in the structure and function of primate hands. The differences between modern human and nonhuman primate hands are discussed with reference to tool use and manufacture. The anatomical structure of the human hand is reviewed in terms of the bones, joints, and muscles that comprise the hand and of the structure of the skin that overlies the palmar and dorsal surfaces. The sensory and motor innervation of the human hand is also explained. The chapter concludes with a summary of some of the biomechanical models of the hand that have been developed.Less
This chapter considers the evolutionary development of the hand within the context of changes in the structure and function of primate hands. The differences between modern human and nonhuman primate hands are discussed with reference to tool use and manufacture. The anatomical structure of the human hand is reviewed in terms of the bones, joints, and muscles that comprise the hand and of the structure of the skin that overlies the palmar and dorsal surfaces. The sensory and motor innervation of the human hand is also explained. The chapter concludes with a summary of some of the biomechanical models of the hand that have been developed.
Matt J. Rossano
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- September 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195385816
- eISBN:
- 9780199870080
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195385816.003.0006
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
Chapter 6 examines the evolutionary origins of religion prior to the African Interregnum period and looks at what happen to religion after this period. Prior to the Interregnum, it is argued that the ...
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Chapter 6 examines the evolutionary origins of religion prior to the African Interregnum period and looks at what happen to religion after this period. Prior to the Interregnum, it is argued that the social lives of our primate and hominin ancestors, especially their social rituals and social emotions, laid the groundwork for the eventual emergence of the “supernaturalized” religion that emerged during the Interregnum. A key transitional moment came about 500,000 ybp when our ancestors evolved the capacity to engage in “group mimesis”—that is, they were able to sing, chant, dance, and march together in rhythm. These group-based rituals had powerful consciousness-altering and social bonding effects. After the interregnum, increased social stratification encouraged the emergence of ancestor worship and with it religious narratives and mythologies. As society and religion became increasingly complex and stratified the basic framework for classic paganism began to take form.Less
Chapter 6 examines the evolutionary origins of religion prior to the African Interregnum period and looks at what happen to religion after this period. Prior to the Interregnum, it is argued that the social lives of our primate and hominin ancestors, especially their social rituals and social emotions, laid the groundwork for the eventual emergence of the “supernaturalized” religion that emerged during the Interregnum. A key transitional moment came about 500,000 ybp when our ancestors evolved the capacity to engage in “group mimesis”—that is, they were able to sing, chant, dance, and march together in rhythm. These group-based rituals had powerful consciousness-altering and social bonding effects. After the interregnum, increased social stratification encouraged the emergence of ancestor worship and with it religious narratives and mythologies. As society and religion became increasingly complex and stratified the basic framework for classic paganism began to take form.
