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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?