The secret behind human nature is found within the latin “Homo

Sapiens” meaning “Wise Man”

The Evolution of Intelligence

IntelligenceInstinct- behaviour that occurs in response

to a specific stimulus does not require conscious thought.

Habituation- using trial and error to solve problems- behaviour then becomes habit.

Learning- change in knowledge that leads to a change in behaviour – unless behaviour changes, learning hasn’t occurred.

Intelligence cont’dThought is a result of learningHumans rely more on learning than on

instinct and this allows us to change behaviour and be successful in new environments (why a captive animal usually doesn’t succeed when put back into the wild).

Intelligence cont’dCost of this is that it takes humans a long

time to be able to survive on their own

What is intelligence?

Definitions of intelligence tend to focus on it as a “problem solving ability” that contributes to the adaptability of the species.

Intelligence = collection of mental capacities ( perception, attention, memory, creativity, problem solving= software.

What do the three words in each of the following groups have in common?

Saddle, pump, slide:

Answer: Each word names a different kind of shoe.

mustang, cougar, rabbit:

Answer: Each word names an animal that has given its name to a kind of car.

Department, shoe, book

Answer: Each word names a different kind of store.

Evolutionary PsychologistsEvolutionary psychologists view

intelligence as having an adaptive function. ie. It has evolved because it contributes to the fitness of an individual’s genes.

“Why did intelligence evolve?” The answer is almost certainly “As an adaption to cope with an unpredictable environment.”

As human life became less predictable, the need to adapt to unpredictable situations created a “selection pressure” that favoured intelligent behaviour.

Try your reasoning skills on these:No one goes to that restaurant any more

because it’s too crowded.Answer: If no one goes to the restaurant, it

can’t be crowded.

I’m glad I don’t like spinach, because if I liked it, I’d eat it, and it tastes awful.

Answer: If the person did like spinach , he or she wouldn’t think it tasted awful.

If you can’t read this sign, ask for help.Answer the person can’t read the sign , she

or he won’t know that it says to aks for help.

Reasoning Cognition - process of obtaining info

from environment (learning), retaining it (memory) and manipulating it (thinking) = using the software.

Reasoning involves the ability to think, understand and draw conclusions. It is a conscious attempt to discover what is true and what is best and is often linked to the idea of cause and effect. It is a verb (processing and a noun (capacity)

IntelligenceSo, what is intelligence?The debate between evolutionary

psychologists however, centers on the question below:

“What was the main “selection pressure” that promoted the rapid development of human intelligence?”

Intelligence3 main theories. Selection pressure in

favour of……

Efficiency in Finding food

Maximizing personal social interactions.

Attracting the opposite sex.