Anthropology Discussion 4

Lecture #14 — Culture and Intelligence Biological Continuity • We share >98% of our DNA with bonobos and chimpanzees • Last Common Ancestor w/ Chimps and Bonobos? – 6mya  We have been different animals for only 0.00143% of our evolutionary history. • Biological Continuity  Behavioral Continuity Behavioral Ecology • The study of behavior as an adaptation to the environment. – How do ecological factors influence behavior? – How do ecological factors help explain differences between species? • By studying the behavior of our closest living relatives, we can shed light on how selection pressures have shaped our evolution Primate Models of Human Evolution • What can we look for? – Behavioral Patterns emerge in response to selective pressures • 1. Examine similar behavior patterns across species • 2. Examine differences in closely related species Human Chimpanzee Bonobo Gorilla Orangutan Gibbon Macaque Shows the ratio of brain size to body size in mammals. Primates, in general (the pink line), have significantly larger brains that we would expect given their body size. If we are interested in evolution, we have to ask WHY this is. Brain Sizes • Absolute Brain Size – Chimpanzee 350 -400 cc – Gorilla 350 -450 cc – Humans 1350 cc • Relative Brain Size – Encephalization Quotient (EQ = 1 is expected brain:body ratio) • EQ < 1 in rodents • EQ > 1 in carnivores & prosimians (0.8 -1.9) • EQ = 1.6 in gorillas • EQ = 2.4 in orangutans • EQ = 3.0 in chimpanzees • EQ = 7.2 in humans Why Are Primates So Smart? • Two Primary Hypotheses: – Ecological Function of Intelligence (EFI) • Primate intelligence evolved in response to selection pressures associated with a more varied and diverse diet. – Social Function of Intelligence (SFI) • Primate intelligence evolved in response to selection pressures associated with living in complex social groups. Consider the Evidence Consider the Evidence Primates Doing Smart Stuff • The following slides have links to videos of primates doing smart stuff. • Some of them are about tools, hunting, or other behaviors. • Think about how this evidence, plus your other readings and films, supports the hypotheses about intelligence. • Japanese Macaques ( Macaca fuscata ) – http://www.arkive.org/japanese - macaque/macaca -fuscata/video -08c.html • White -fronted Capuchins ( Cebus albifrons ) – http://www.arkive.org/white -fronted - capuchin/cebus -albifrons/video -tr16.html – http://www.arkive.org/white -fronted - capuchin/cebus -albifrons/video -tr08a.html – http://www.arkive.org/white -fronted - capuchin/cebus -albifrons/video -tr08b.html • Chimpanzees – http://www.arkive.org/chimpanzee/pan - troglodytes/video -tr08a.html – http://www.arkive.org/chimpanzee/pan - troglodytes/video -sc08c.html – http://www.arkive.org/chimpanzee/pan - troglodytes/video -ve012.html – http://www.arkive.org/chimpanzee/pan - troglodytes/video -99a.html – http://www.arkive.org/chimpanzee/pan - troglodytes/video -sc08d.html – http://www.arkive.org/chimpanzee/pan - troglodytes/video -sc12b.html Primate Culture • What is culture? • Do other primates possess culture? • How can we tell if something is a cultural behavior or not?