The Archaeology of the Extended Mind

2019 ◽  
pp. 143-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Sterelny
Keyword(s):  
Social Learning ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Extended Mind ◽  
Last Common Ancestor ◽  
Great Ape ◽  
Material Technology ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
History Of ◽  
Physical Skills

Our great ape cousins, and very likely the last common ancestor of the human and pan lineage, depend very largely on their own intrinsic capacities not just for material resources but also for their informational resources. Chimps and bonobos are capable of social learning, and very likely, in their foraging and their communicative practices, they do learn from their parents and peers. But everything they learn socially they could probably learn by themselves, by individual exploration learning. Their lives do not depend on social learning. And while they may learn about their physical and social environment from others, they do not learn how to learn. Humans are very different: for us, social learning is essential rather than optional. As a consequence, our cognitive capacities are amplified by our social environment, by our material technology, and by our capacities to learn cognitive skills, not just physical skills, from our social peers. This chapter charts the deep history of these changes and their archaeological signature.

Natural history of ABC systems: not only transporters

2011 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
pp. 19-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elie Dassa
Keyword(s):  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Last Common Ancestor ◽  
Abc Proteins ◽  
Hypothetical Scenario ◽  
History Of ◽  
Phylogenetic Perspective ◽  
Living Organisms

In recent years, our understanding of the functioning of ABC (ATP-binding cassette) systems has been boosted by the combination of biochemical and structural approaches. However, the origin and the distribution of ABC proteins among living organisms are difficult to understand in a phylogenetic perspective, because it is hard to discriminate orthology and paralogy, due to the existence of horizontal gene transfer. In this chapter, I present an update of the classification of ABC systems and discuss a hypothetical scenario of their evolution. The hypothetical presence of ABC ATPases in the last common ancestor of modern organisms is discussed, as well as the additional possibility that ABC systems might have been transmitted to eukaryotes, after the two endosymbiosis events that led to the constitution of eukaryotic organelles. I update the functional information of selected ABC systems and introduce new families of ABC proteins that have been included recently into this vast superfamily, thanks to the availability of high-resolution three-dimensional structures.

scholarly journals Family history of FXTAS is associated with age-related cognitive-linguistic decline among mothers with the FMR1 premutation

2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Klusek ◽  
Amanda Fairchild ◽  
Carly Moser ◽  
Marsha R. Mailick ◽  
Angela John Thurman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family History ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disease ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Fragile X ◽  
Repeat Length ◽  
Syntactic Complexity ◽  
Cgg Repeat ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background Women who carry a premutation allele of the FMR1 gene are at increased vulnerability to an array of age-related symptoms and disorders, including age-related decline in select cognitive skills. However, the risk factors for age-related decline are poorly understood, including the potential role of family history and genetic factors. In other forms of pathological aging, early decline in syntactic complexity is observed and predicts the later onset of neurodegenerative disease. To shed light on the earliest signs of degeneration, the present study characterized longitudinal changes in the syntactic complexity of women with the FMR1 premutation across midlife, and associations with family history of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and CGG repeat length. Methods Forty-five women with the FMR1 premutation aged 35–64 years at study entry participated in 1–5 longitudinal assessments spaced approximately a year apart (130 observations total). All participants were mothers of children with confirmed fragile X syndrome. Language samples were analyzed for syntactic complexity and participants provided information on family history of FXTAS. CGG repeat length was determined via molecular genetic testing. Results Hierarchical linear models indicated that women who reported a family history of FXTAS exhibited faster age-related decline in syntactic complexity than those without a family history, with that difference emerging as the women reached their mid-50 s. CGG repeat length was not a significant predictor of age-related change. Conclusions Results suggest that women with the FMR1 premutation who have a family history of FXTAS may be at increased risk for neurodegenerative disease, as indicated by age-related loss of syntactic complexity. Thus, family history of FXTAS may represent a personalized risk factor for age-related disease. Follow-up study is needed to determine whether syntactic decline is an early indicator of FXTAS specifically, as opposed to being a more general age-related cognitive decline associated with the FMR1 premutation.

scholarly journals Secondary education in transition in Nigeria: The question of quality

2000 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 99-109
Author(s):  
R. A. Alani
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Education ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Traditional Art ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
The Past ◽  
History Of ◽  
School Curricula

The paper traced the history of the development of secondary education in Nigeria since its inception in J859. The paper noted the emphasis on traditional art and science subjects in the past and the innovations that have been brought into the secondary school curricula by the National Policy 011 Education published in 1977, but revised in J981 and J998. The problems of implementing the curricula were briefly mentioned. The paper finally highlighted steps that could be taken to improve the quality of secondary education, such as provision of physical and material resources, adequate financing of education, teacher training and development, improvement of the conditions of service for teachers and supervision of instruction, among others.

scholarly journals Evolution of Philodendron (Araceae) species along Neotropical biomes

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leticia Loss-Oliveira ◽  
Cassia CMS Sakuragui ◽  
Maria de Lourdes Soares ◽  
Carlos G Schrago
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Neotropical Region ◽  
Last Common Ancestor ◽  
Amazon Forest ◽  
Ancestral Reconstruction ◽  
Biogeographic History ◽  
Early Diversification ◽  
Sister Clade ◽  
History Of ◽  
Wide Geographic Distribution

Philodendron is the second most diverse genus of the Araceae, a tropical monocot family with significant morphological diversity along its wide geographic distribution in the Neotropics. Although evolutionary studies of Philodendron were conducted in recent years, the phylogenetic relationship among its species remains unclear. Additionally, analyses conducted to date suggested the inclusion of all American representatives of a closely related genus, Homalomena, within the Philodendron clade. A thorough evaluation of the phylogeny and timescale of these lineages is thus necessary to elucidate the tempo and mode of evolution of this large Neotropical genus and to unveil the biogeographic history of Philodendron evolution along the Amazonian and Atlantic Rain Forests, as well as open dry forests of South America. To this end, we have estimated the molecular phylogeny for 68 Philodendron species, which consists of the largest sampling assembled to date aiming the study of the evolutionary affinities. We have also performed ancestral reconstruction of species distribution along biomes. Finally, we contrasted these results with the inferred timescale of Philodendron and Homalomena lineage diversification. Our estimates indicate that American Homalomena is the sister clade to Philodendron. The early diversification of Philodendron took place in the Amazon Forest from Early to Middle Miocene, followed by colonization of the Atlantic Forest and the savanna-like landscapes, respectively. Based on the age of the last common ancestor of Philodendron, the species of this genus diversified by rapid radiations, leading to its wide extant distribution in the Neotropical region.

scholarly journals Tradisi Ulur-Ulur Ditinjau Dari Pendekatan Konstrukstivisme Sebagai Upaya Penguatan Pendidikan Nilai Dalam Pembelajaran IPS

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 79
Author(s):  
Danan Tricahyono ◽  
Sariyatun Sariyatun
Keyword(s):  
Social Studies ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Value Of Life ◽  
Constructivist Approach ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Current Generation ◽  
History Of

<p>Globalization has a negative influence that has an impact on shifting the orientation of the value of life, so local wisdom is needed as a means of protection. Local wisdom contains positive values that can be passed on to the current generation as a way of life. The purpose of this study is to provide an alternative to social studies learning with a constructivist approach as an effort to strengthen value education. The research method used is through a literature study. This article will describe the history of the ulur-ulur tradition, the procession of ulur-ulur, and alternative conceptual ideas of the McClintock and Black constructivism model which consists of seven stages, namely observation, interpretation construction, contextualization, learning cognitive skills, collaboration, multiple interpretations, and multiple manifestations.</p><p>Globalisasi membawa pengaruh negatif yang berdampak pada pergeseran orientasi nilai kehidupan maka diperlukan kearifan lokal sebagai sarana proteksi. Kearifan lokal memiliki kandungan nilai-nilai positif yang dapat diwariskan kepeda generasi saat ini sebagai pegangan hidup. Tujuan penelitian ini memberikan alternatif pembelajaran IPS dengan pendekatan konstruktivisme sebagai upaya untuk penguatan pendidikan nilai. Metode penelitian yang digunakan melalui studi pustaka. Artikel ini akan memaparkan sejarah tradisi ulur-ulur, prosesi upacara ulur-ulur dan alternatif gagasan konseptual model konstruktivisme McClintock dan Black yang terdiri atas tujuh tahapan yaitu observasi, konstruksi interpretasi, kontekstualisasi, belajar keahlian kognitif, kolaborasi, interpretasi jamak, dan manifestasi jamak.</p>

scholarly journals The Difference Culture Makes

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul K Wason
Keyword(s):  
Social Learning ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Animal Kingdom ◽  
Symbolic Thought ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Difference

The dawn of culture and its subsequent elaboration is one of the most important developments in the history of life. It is now recognized that culture, at least in a minimalist sense of behavioral traditions shaped by social learning, is found widely throughout the animal kingdom.  And this fact, perhaps ironically for those of a reductionist bent, has made possible new understandings of just how distinctive humans are, especially in terms of symbolic thought, cooperativity far beyond genetic relatedness, the cumulative nature of our cultures, and our pervasive sense of transcendence. Yet, nearly 150 years after Tylor’s Primitive Culture, we are still coming to appreciate in sometimes surprising new ways how the phenomenon of culture is transforming this planet. I suggest that despite the apparent pervasiveness of the concept, or at least the word, in both scholarly and everyday discourse, we have yet to appreciate the full potential of the concept of culture as an intellectual tool. Through brief exploration of five different situations in which it is useful, I hope to illustrate the importance of the phenomenon and show the untapped potential of the concept. 

A Brief History of Social Learning Research

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Hoppitt ◽  
Kevin N. Laland
Keyword(s):  
Social Learning ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovations ◽  
Fourth Century ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Behavioral Repertoire ◽  
History Of Research ◽  
History Of ◽  
Learning Research ◽  
Evolution Of Mind ◽  
Animal Culture

This chapter provides a brief historical background to social learning research. The history of research into social learning and imitation dates back to Aristotle, who explicitly made the claim that animals acquire behavior through imitation and other forms of social learning. Aristotle was particularly impressed with the human imitative tendency. The three insights made in the fourth century BC—that humans are uncharacteristically reliant on imitative learning compared to other animals, that young children in particular acquire important aspects of their behavioral repertoire through copying, and that imitation appears intrinsically rewarding to children—are remarkably relevant to contemporary social learning research. The chapter examines how investigations of social learning have been central to research into the evolution of mind, the mechanisms of social learning, animal culture, the diffusion of innovations, child development, and cultural evolution.

Introduction: The Alchemy of War

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Thomas Waldman
Keyword(s):  
Political Capital ◽  
Special Forces ◽  
Extreme Form ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
Similar Idea ◽  
History Of ◽  
General Preference ◽  
Reduced Costs ◽  
Emotional Capital ◽  
The Way

This chapter asserts that a recurring theme throughout the history of war — although not necessarily always the most prominent one — concerns the efforts of belligerents to somehow limit, minimize or evade the various liabilities associated with its conduct. It argues that vicarious warfare is an extreme form of the strategic alchemy, and contemporary America is its most enthusiastic guild. The chapter then elaborates the symbol of the squared circle in alchemy which represented the elements that would combine to create the philosopher's stone. It employs a similar idea to capture the way actors seek to 'produce' less burdensome wars through reduced costs and requirements, whether in terms of, among other things, blood, treasure, political capital or material resources. In war, this translates into a form of denial with regard to the serious costs that might have to be incurred or the level of investments in material, social, political and even emotional capital required to realize objectives, resulting in a mismatch between ends and means. Ultimately, the chapter charts the emergence of America's general preference to fight its wars: delegating fighting to proxies, limiting the exposure of its own military forces to danger, and operating in the shadows through the use of special forces, covert practices and evolving offensive cyber techniques.

Cradle Under the Canopy The Forest Origins of our Ape and Hominin Ancestors and the Tropical Forest Forays of the Genus Homo

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Tool Use ◽  
Pan Paniscus ◽  
Great Apes ◽  
Last Common Ancestor ◽  
Great Ape ◽  
Tropical Environments ◽  
Genus Homo ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Game Hunting ◽  
The Tropics

The evolutionary proximity of the non-human great apes to us is often stressed in studies of animals, such as Kanzi, a bonobo (Pan paniscus) bred in captivity, that demonstrate their capacity to undertake tool-use and even utilize and comprehend language (Toth et al., 1993; Savage-Rumbaugh and Lewin, 1996; Schick et al., 1999). Likewise, studies of chimpanzees (Pan spp.) have highlighted the similarity of their emotional and empathetic capacities to those of humans (Parr et al., 2005; Campbell and de Waal, 2014). However, as noted by Savage- Rumbaugh and Lewin (1996), in palaeoanthropology and archaeology more broadly, the emergence of the hominin clade and, later, our species, is referenced in terms of the ‘chasm’ between ourselves and other extant great apes. Indeed, despite our genetic and behavioural proximity, extant non-human great ape taxa are often popularly characterized as living fossils of how we used to be. They are used as analogues for the subsistence and behaviour of the Last Common Ancestor (LCA) of humans and non-human great apes (Clutton-Brock and Harvey, 1977; Goodall, 1986; Foley and Lewin, 2004) and it is almost as if the fact that they still occupy the tropical environments in which these hominoids likely evolved (though see Elton, 2008) allows them to be treated as static comparisons (Figure 3.1). Since Darwin wrote the Descent of Man in 1871, the forests of the tropics, and their modern non-human great ape inhabitants, have tended to be perceived as being left behind as the hominin clade gained increasingly ‘human’ traits of tool-use, medium to large game hunting, and upright locomotion on open ‘savanna’ landscapes (Dart, 1925; Potts, 1998; Klein, 1999). From this perspective it is perhaps unsurprising that tropical forests are seen as alien to the genus Homo and its closest hominin ancestors.

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