Post on 01-Apr-2015
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EvolutionEvolutionGaia Scerif
Room 426, Ext. 67926gs@psychology.nottingham.ac.uk
Office Hours: Thurs 12-2
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OutlineOutline
• WhyWhy study non-human animals? study non-human animals?
• Natural selection and evolutionNatural selection and evolution
• Brief history of human evolutionBrief history of human evolution
• Evolution of the human brainEvolution of the human brain
• Evolution of human behaviourEvolution of human behaviour
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Non-human models: Insights Non-human models: Insights from Comparative from Comparative
NeuroanatomyNeuroanatomy
Similarities across species in brain structure and function allow the use of animal models to understand brain – behaviour relations Understanding mechanisms Models of neurological disorders Study of phylogeny (evolution) of the
brain Particular species have advantages
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Evolution by Natural Evolution by Natural SelectionSelection
Darwinian theory: the characteristics of an organism have precise functions (e.g., camouflage)
These are selected for (become more prevalent) if they allow the organism to survive and reproduce more successfully
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MechanisMechanisms of ms of
Natural Natural SelectionSelection
Bases in environment and genesenvironment and genes (more next week!)
Accidental mutations ( = changes in genetics information) can alter mutants’ characteristics / behaviour
Some have selective advantage
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Human evolution: Human evolution: TimescaleTimescale
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Human evolution: Human evolution: Existing relativesExisting relatives
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Human evolution: Human evolution: TimescaleTimescale
Evolution of Homo sapiens
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Human Brain EvolutionHuman Brain Evolution
1. increases in overall brain volume / body size ratio (Encephalization Quotient) … but size is not all
2. changes in neocortex size compared to other non-human animals (including other primates)
3. slow maturational processes (“neoteny”)
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What makes us “uniquely human”?
Theory of mind?
Linguistic abilities?
Culture?
How did these evolve?
Evolution of human Evolution of human behaviourbehaviour
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Cast your vote on: What makes us “uniquely human”?
Theory of mind? Linguistic abilities? Culture? Other?
Reasons?Next week: potential neural factors!
““The Evolution Ballot”The Evolution Ballot”
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• What evolutionary pressures may have selected for uniquely human skills?
Evolution of Evolution of Cognitive Cognitive DomainsDomains
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SummarySummary• WhyWhy study non-human animals? study non-human animals? Insights into human brain and behaviour Insights into human brain and behaviour
• Natural selection and evolution:Natural selection and evolution:Darwinian theoryDarwinian theory
• Brief history of human evolution Brief history of human evolution
• Evolution of the human brainEvolution of the human brain
• Evolution of human behaviourEvolution of human behaviour
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Next Week: Next Week: Genetics Genetics
and and CognitionCognition
• Can genetic variability account for uniquely human cognitive processes?