Comparative Cognition Today

Comparative Cognition TodaySeptember 21, 20101OverviewWhat is comparative cognition?What is studied?What approaches are taken?2What is comparative cognition?3Past approachesReview from last classAmerican vs European approachesSpecies used:

From Shettleworth (2009), Behav Process. 80, 210-2174the difference in mind between man and the higher animals, great as it is, certainly is one of degree and not of kindDarwin, The Descent of Man

5Similar or Different, how did minds evolve?6Adaptation & Natural SelectionI am convinced that natural selection has been the main, but not the exclusive means of modification (Darwin)

What exactly does main means entail? Is 51% of modification due to natural selection? Is 98% of modification due to natural selection?What traits or behaviours should be considered as adaptations?

7Sociobiology & Evolutionary PsychologyE. O. Wilson, Sociobiology: The new synthesis, 1975Evolution of social behaviours, humans and non-humansadaptationist programmeIdentify trait/behaviour under selectionDetermine how that trait/behaviour may have adaptive value (environment of evolutionary adaptedness)Determine trade-offs for sub-optimal traits (best compromise)Panglossian

8CriticismIts all in our genes: biological determinismA Natural History of Rape

Evolutionary psychologists believe that the belly-button is an adaptation for storing small berries on the long trek back to camp. (Kurzban, 2002)

Gould & Lewontin (1979) warn of going too far with adaptationist thinking

Are both sides fighting straw men?

9Spandrelsspaces left overArchitectural constraintBy-product is then exapted for current purpose (mosaics)

10Corbels & SquinchesBUT were spandrels really the only option?Dennett argues that squinches or corbels can also be used for dome ceilingsSan Marco was designed to display mosiacs.

11How far is too far?Gould warned of the dangers and fallacies (Gould 1997, p. 10750) of over-attributing adaptive functions to traits that might not be adaptations, but the real danger is to fail to consider functional hypotheses. Tonsils often become infected and therefore are (or were) frequently removed by surgery. Which scientific response do you prefer?: (1) Mock any suggestion that tonsils might serve an important function by loudly insisting that not all traits have adaptive functions; or (2) generate and test as many functional hypotheses as you can think of to make sure that by removing the tonsils no lasting harm is done to the patient?

Hagen, Controversies surrounding evolutionary psychology

12Comparative Cognition13Comparative CognitionComparative cognition is:A comparison of mental abilities of speciesCognitive abilities and capacitiese.g. capacities: Alex the Grey Parrot14expand this section... mention Povinelli & Penn (Darwin's mistake)talk about Gould & SpandrelsWhy Psychology?Why is animal behaviour studied in psych department, not zoology?4 main reasons:UniquenessControl & irreversible effects Simplicity & generalityContinuity

15UniquenessCertain animals have unique properties that allow us to study subjects which could not be studied any other way:Mice and genesGiant Squid AxonsHigh pecking rates of pigeonsEcholocation in batsAbsolute pitch in songbirds16Control & Irreversible EffectsFor practical and ethical reasons, we can have greater control in animals over both:GenesEnvironmentsIrreversible Effects:Drugs, lesions, gene manipulations17Simplicity & GeneralityInsights from Model SystemsMendel studied peasImpact on study of schizophreniaGenerality of principlesBuilding blocks of cognition18ContinuityNeurobiological continuitye.g. Hippocampal lesions in mice and menEvolutionary continuityDivergent and convergent evolutionAnalagous vs homologous traits19ContinuityTimeHumansRatsMicePigeons20ContinuityTimeHumansRatsMicePigeons21What topics are studied?223 main areas:Basic processesPhysical cognitionSocial cognition23Basic ProcessesIncludes:PerceptionAttentionMemoryAssociative leaningCategory and concept learning24Physical CognitionIncludes:TimeNumberSpaceTool UseCausal understanding25Social CognitionIncludes:Social networksDominance structuresSocial RelationshipsMorality and ethicsTheory of MindSocial learningObservational learningImitationCommunication & Language26Approaches to Studying Comparative Cognition27Aspects of CognitionHow is information acquired or learned?How is information processed?How is information retained?28Types of Studies4 approaches to studying animal behaviour:Naturalistic Observation (Ethological)Field ExperimentsBehavioural ExperimentsBehavioural Neuroscience (Physiological)29Tinbergens Four QuestionsNamed for ethologist Niko TinbergenProximate (How) vs Ultimate (Why)

30Proximate QuestionsCausation: Brain e.g. Brocas areaHormones e.g. Testosterone stimulates aggressive behaviourPheremones e.g. Spatial behaviour, trackingDevelopment or OntogenyNature/Nurture genes and environmentCritical periods e.g. language or imprinting

31Ultimate QuestionsFunction or AdaptationHow has an organism evolved for survival?e.g. Birds fly south for warmth & foode.g. Mammal nurture youngPhylogenyEvolutionary explanations, other than adaptatione.g. Genetic drift32