http://www.vetmeduni.ac.at/en/infoservice/presseinformation/press-releases-2014/press-release-01-30-2014-teaching-young-wolves-new-tricks/
Interesting piece from scientists in Vienna who show that wolves are better at opening food containers if they are able to watch con-specifics previously doing so successfully, than dogs. In other words, wolves are better at imitating other wolves than dogs are other dogs. The suggestion is that, under domestication, dogs have transferred their imitative focus to humans and away from their own species.
Are we humans simply remodelled apes? Chimps with a tweak? Is the difference between our genomes so minuscule it justifies the argument that our cognition and behaviour must also differ from chimps by barely a whisker? If “chimps are us” should we grant them human rights? Or is this one of the biggest fallacies in the study of evolution? NOT A CHIMP argues that these similarities have been grossly over-exaggerated - we should keep chimps at arm’s length. Are humans cognitively unique after all?
Friday, 31 January 2014
Thursday, 30 January 2014
What makes us human? Unique brain area linked to higher cognitive powers
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-01-human-unique-brain-area-linked.html
One of several reports coming out of Professor Matthew Rushworth's lab at Oxford University's Department of Experimental Psychology. "The brain area pinpointed is known to be intimately involved in some of the most advanced planning and decision-making processes that we think of as being especially human." says the report from Medical Express.
"'We have established an area in human frontal cortex which does not seem to have an equivalent in the monkey at all,' says first author Franz-Xaver Neubert of Oxford University. 'This area has been identified with strategic planning and decision making as well as "multi-tasking"".
One of several reports coming out of Professor Matthew Rushworth's lab at Oxford University's Department of Experimental Psychology. "The brain area pinpointed is known to be intimately involved in some of the most advanced planning and decision-making processes that we think of as being especially human." says the report from Medical Express.
"'We have established an area in human frontal cortex which does not seem to have an equivalent in the monkey at all,' says first author Franz-Xaver Neubert of Oxford University. 'This area has been identified with strategic planning and decision making as well as "multi-tasking"".