scholarly journals Is behavioural flexibility evidence of cognitive complexity? How evolution can inform comparative cognition

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 20160121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Mikhalevich ◽  
Russell Powell ◽  
Corina Logan
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Complexity ◽  
Animal Cognition ◽  
Comparative Cognition ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Behavioural Flexibility ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Common View ◽  
Complex Cognition ◽  
Complex Forms

Behavioural flexibility is often treated as the gold standard of evidence for more sophisticated or complex forms of animal cognition, such as planning, metacognition and mindreading. However, the evidential link between behavioural flexibility and complex cognition has not been explicitly or systematically defended. Such a defence is particularly pressing because observed flexible behaviours can frequently be explained by putatively simpler cognitive mechanisms. This leaves complex cognition hypotheses open to ‘deflationary’ challenges that are accorded greater evidential weight precisely because they offer putatively simpler explanations of equal explanatory power. This paper challenges the blanket preference for simpler explanations, and shows that once this preference is dispensed with, and the full spectrum of evidence—including evolutionary, ecological and phylogenetic data—is accorded its proper weight, an argument in support of the prevailing assumption that behavioural flexibility can serve as evidence for complex cognitive mechanisms may begin to take shape. An adaptive model of cognitive-behavioural evolution is proposed, according to which the existence of convergent trait–environment clusters in phylogenetically disparate lineages may serve as evidence for the same trait–environment clusters in other lineages. This, in turn, could permit inferences of cognitive complexity in cases of experimental underdetermination, thereby placing the common view that behavioural flexibility can serve as evidence for complex cognition on firmer grounds.

scholarly journals Imitation Primer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
cecilia heyes
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Cognitive Complexity ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Cumulative Culture

In this Primer, Cecilia Heyes explains why imitation is thought to be a mark of cognitive complexity and an inheritance mechanism for cumulative culture. Recent research involving birds, ‘enculturated’ chimpanzees, and humans suggests that the cognitive mechanisms that make imitation possible are constructed during development through social interaction.

A hypothesis: CRISPR-Cas as a minimal cognitive system

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hidetaka Yakura
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Information Integration ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Cognitive System ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Functional Components

Concerning what signifies the minimal requirements for a process to be designated cognitive, various criteria have been proposed, but the problem has not been settled. The important thing to consider in establishing the criteria is which criterion has stronger explanatory power. Recent developments in immunology demonstrate that the immune system is omnipresent in the realm of living beings, including bacteria and archaea. Although the structural characteristics of immune systems are significantly different among species, the fundamental functional components, namely, recognition, information integration, reaction, and memory, are well conserved. Interestingly, these adaptive features are superimposed on those of the central nervous system. Given that adaptive cognitive ability is a prerequisite for the existence and the survival of living organisms, these results may be compatible with the idea that in bacteria without an apparent nervous system, the immune system performs neural-like functions. The presence of the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR associated protein (Cas) systems as a cognitive system in the earliest living organisms suggests that one of the fundamental functions is conserved throughout evolution. Furthermore, this interpretation can evade the critiques against the current biological paradigm that demand that cognitive mechanisms be preceded by organisms in the earlier stages of evolution, thus providing better and stronger explanatory power. I thus propose that genetic and biochemical machinery represented by the bacterial immune system serves as a minimal cognitive system.

scholarly journals Reciprocity: Different behavioural strategies, cognitive mechanisms and psychological processes

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 284-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manon K. Schweinfurth ◽  
Josep Call
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Cognitive Complexity ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Psychological Processes ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Norway Rat ◽  
Widespread Phenomenon ◽  
Human Trait ◽  
Vampire Bat ◽  
Behavioural Strategies

Abstract Reciprocity is probably one of the most debated theories in evolutionary research. After more than 40 years of research, some scientists conclude that reciprocity is an almost uniquely human trait mainly because it is cognitively demanding. Others, however, conclude that reciprocity is widespread and of great importance to many species. Yet, it is unclear how these species reciprocate, given its apparent cognitive complexity. Therefore, our aim was to unravel the psychological processes underlying reciprocity. By bringing together findings from studies investigating different aspects of reciprocity, we show that reciprocity is a rich concept with different behavioural strategies and cognitive mechanisms that require very different psychological processes. We reviewed evidence from three textbook examples, i.e. the Norway rat, common vampire bat and brown capuchin monkey, and show that the species use different strategies and mechanisms to reciprocate. We continue by examining the psychological processes of reciprocity. We show that the cognitive load varies between different forms of reciprocity. Several factors can lower the memory demands of reciprocity such as distinctiveness of encounters, memory of details and network size. Furthermore, there are different information operation systems in place, which also vary in their cognitive load due to assessing the number of encounters and the quality and quantity of help. We conclude that many species possess the psychological processes to show some form of reciprocity. Hence, reciprocity might be a widespread phenomenon that varies in terms of strategies and mechanisms.

Animal Rights

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Waldau
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Ethics ◽  
Animal Rights ◽  
Animal Cognition ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Animal Rights Movement ◽  
Animal Protection ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Many ◽  
Definition Of

In this compelling volume in the What Everyone Needs to Know series, Paul Waldau expertly navigates the many heated debates surrounding the complex and controversial animal rights movement. Organized around a series of probing questions, this timely resource offers the most complete, even-handed survey of the animal rights movement available. The book covers the full spectrum of issues, beginning with a clear, highly instructive definition of animal rights. Waldau looks at the different concerns surrounding companion animals, wild animals, research animals, work animals, and animals used for food, provides a no-nonsense assessment of the treatment of animals, and addresses the philosophical and legal arguments that form the basis of animal rights. Along the way, readers will gain insight into the history of animal protection-as well as the political and social realities facing animals today-and become familiar with a range of hot-button topics, from animal cognition and autonomy, to attempts to balance animal cruelty versus utility. Chronicled here are many key figures and organizations responsible for moving the animal rights movement forward, as well as legislation and public policy that have been carried out around the world in the name of animal rights and animal protection. The final chapter of this indispensable volume looks ahead to the future of animal rights, and delivers an animal protection mandate for citizens, scientists, governments, and other stakeholders. With its multidisciplinary, non-ideological focus and all-inclusive coverage, Animal Rights represents the definitive survey of the animal rights movement-one that will engage every reader and student of animal rights, animal law, and environmental ethics.

Unraveling the complex nexus of punitive supervision and deviant work behaviors: findings and implications from hospitality employees in Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aisha Sarwar ◽  
Lakhi Muhammad ◽  
Marianna Sigala
Keyword(s):  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Work Behavior ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Deviant Behaviors ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Moderating Role

Purpose The study adopts the conservation of resources (COR) theory for providing a better theoretical understanding of punitive supervision as an antecedent of employees’ minor deviant behaviors (namely, employee time theft and knowledge hiding) via creating cognitive mechanisms (employees’ perceived incivility). The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating role of employees’ RESILIENCY on employees’ ability to buffer the impacts of punitive supervision. Design/methodology/approach Data was gathered from 265 frontline hospitality employees in Pakistan. A survey was administered in person to establish trust and rapport with employees and so, collect reliable data. Findings The findings confirmed a direct and mediated impact of punitive supervision on employee minor deviant behaviors via creating perceived incivility. The moderating role of employees’ resiliency was also confirmed, as the employees’ resiliency helped them mitigate the impact of punitive supervision on perceived incivility. Research limitations/implications Data was collected from employees’ perceptions working in one industry and cultural setting. As employees’ perceptions (influenced by their cultural background) significantly affect their interpretations and reactions to punitive behavior, future research should validate and refine the findings by collecting data from a wider and diversified cultural and industry setting. Practical implications The findings provide theoretical explanatory power of the drivers and the contextual factors leading to minor employee deviant behaviors. The findings guide managers on how to develop pro-active and re-active strategies for deterring the occurrence and eliminating the consequences of punitive supervision. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature in multiple ways. It identifies and validates punitive supervision as an antecedent of Deviant Work Behavior (DWB). It provides a theoretical underpinning for explaining how punitive supervision spurs cognitive mechanisms, which in turn drive DWB. It also studies the nexus between destructive supervision and its outcomes in its entirety by studying the mediated and the moderating impacts of punitive supervision and perceived incivility, respectively.

Play

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio M. Pellis ◽  
Vivien C. Pellis
Keyword(s):  
Computational Models ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Social Play ◽  
Social Partner ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Emotional Resilience ◽  
Object Play ◽  
New Methods ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Made In

Play behavior is relatively rare in the animal kingdom, but is widespread, and in some lineages is very common not only in childhood but also in adulthood. It can take many forms, as playful actions can be directed to a social partner (social play), to an inanimate object (object play), or self-directed, as the animal, jumps, runs, and turns (locomotor-rotational play). Considerable progress has been made in understanding the neural, emotional, and cognitive mechanisms mammals use in regulating social play, but whether comparable mechanisms are used to regulate other forms of play, or apply to non-mammalian animals, remains to be resolved. Similarly, social play in some mammals has been demonstrated to benefit the development of sociocognitive skills and emotional resilience, while locomotor-rotational play can benefit the development of motor skills. The factors that allow some species to gain these benefits also remain to be resolved. Statistical approaches that take the relatedness of species into account are increasingly being applied to analyze a growing comparative database that includes species from many different lineages. In addition, mathematical and computational models are being used to test the explanatory power of various factors to account for the evolution of play. Coupled with new methods in neuroscience that provide a deeper understanding of the brain during play, these approaches will enable extraordinary progress in understanding play over the next few decades.

scholarly journals Biological and artificial cognition: what can we learn about mechanisms by modelling physical cognition problems using artificial intelligence planning techniques?

2012 ◽  
Vol 367 (1603) ◽  
pp. 2723-2732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackie Chappell ◽  
Nick Hawes
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Associative Learning ◽  
Animal Cognition ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Simulation Environment ◽  
Physical Cognition ◽  
Planning Techniques ◽  
Artificial Intelligence Planning ◽  
Simple Set ◽  
Complex Forms

Do we fully understand the structure of the problems we present to our subjects in experiments on animal cognition, and the information required to solve them? While we currently have a good understanding of the behavioural and neurobiological mechanisms underlying associative learning processes, we understand much less about the mechanisms underlying more complex forms of cognition in animals. In this study, we present a proposal for a new way of thinking about animal cognition experiments. We describe a process in which a physical cognition task domain can be decomposed into its component parts, and models constructed to represent both the causal events of the domain and the information available to the agent. We then implement a simple set of models, using the planning language MAPL within the MAPSIM simulation environment, and applying it to a puzzle tube task previously presented to orangutans. We discuss the results of the models and compare them with the results from the experiments with orangutans, describing the advantages of this approach, and the ways in which it could be extended.

scholarly journals No evidence for future planning in Canada jays ( Perisoreus canadensis )

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Jeffrey Martin ◽  
Glynis K. Martin ◽  
William A. Roberts ◽  
David F. Sherry
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Animal Cognition ◽  
Time Travel ◽  
Mental Time Travel ◽  
Future Planning ◽  
The Past ◽  
Perisoreus Canadensis ◽  
The Future ◽  
Complex Cognition

In the past 20 years, research in animal cognition has challenged the belief that complex cognitive processes are uniquely human. At the forefront of these challenges has been research on mental time travel and future planning in jays. We tested whether Canada jays ( Perisoreus canadensis ) demonstrated future planning, using a procedure that has produced evidence of future planning in California scrub-jays. Future planning in this procedure is caching in locations where the bird will predictably experience a lack of food in the future. Canada jays showed no evidence of future planning in this sense and instead cached in the location where food was usually available, opposite to the behaviour described for California scrub-jays. We provide potential explanations for these differing results adding to the recent debates about the role of complex cognition in corvid caching strategies.

scholarly journals The Crucial Role of Working Memory in Intellectual Functioning

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 260-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cesare Cornoldi ◽  
David Giofrè
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Active Component ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Intellectual Performance ◽  
The Relationship

Cognitive psychology offers an important contribution to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying intelligence. In this paper, we synthesize the research showing that, among the different cognitive mechanisms associated with intelligence, working memory has a particularly high explanatory power, especially when considered in its active component involving not only the maintenance (as in short-term memory) but also the manipulation of information. The paper considers two main implications of this finding for the applied and clinical fields. For a start, we examine how intelligence tests take into consideration working memory. Secondly, we consider the highly debated literature on the effects of working memory training on intellectual performance. Theoretical and applied implications for the relationship between working memory and intelligence are discussed.

scholarly journals An integrative understanding of comparative cognition: lessons from human brain evolution

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 991-1006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxiang Liu ◽  
Genevieve Konopka
Keyword(s):  
Human Brain ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Animal Cognition ◽  
Comparative Cognition ◽  
Brain Evolution ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Anatomical Structures ◽  
Human Brain Evolution ◽  
Functional Understanding ◽  
The Brain

Abstract A comprehensive understanding of animal cognition requires the integration of studies on behavior, electrophysiology, neuroanatomy, development, and genomics. Although studies of comparative cognition are receiving increasing attention from organismal biologists, most current studies focus on the comparison of behaviors and anatomical structures to understand their adaptative values. However, to understand the most potentially complex cognitive program of the human brain a greater synthesis of a multitude of disciplines is needed. In this review, we start with extensive neuroanatomic comparisons between humans and other primates. One likely specialization of the human brain is the expansion of neocortex, especially in regions for high-order cognition (e.g., prefrontal cortex). We then discuss how such an expansion can be linked to heterochrony of the brain developmental program, resulting in a greater number of neurons and enhanced computational capacity. Furthermore, alteration of gene expression in the human brain has been associated with positive selection in DNA sequences of gene regulatory regions. These results not only imply that genes associated with brain development are a major factor in the evolution of cognition, but also that high-quality whole-genome sequencing and gene manipulation techniques are needed for an integrative and functional understanding of comparative cognition in non-model organisms.

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