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Evolutionary Locus of the Neanderthal Between Chimpanzees and Modern Humans: A Working Memory, Theory of Mind, and Brain Developmental, Piagetian Perspective

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Social Learning and Innovation in Contemporary Hunter-Gatherers

Part of the book series: Replacement of Neanderthals by Modern Humans Series ((RNMH))

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Abstract

A hypothetical psychological learning model of the Neanderthals is proposed by interpolating the Neanderthals on a genetic, evolutional, and developmental continuum between chimpanzees and modern humans based upon five empirical results found by anthropological, behavioral, genetic, and cognitive psychological studies. The model claims that the Neanderthals had limited working memory (WM) capacity, had a limited theory of mind (ToM), and were at the preoperational stage. The main conclusion is that it is the ability to teach and to learn through being taught that discriminates modern humans from the Neanderthals because teaching behavior prevails even in hunter-gatherers and teaching motivation has an evolutionary basis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Letters, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan

    Juko Ando

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  1. Juko Ando
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe, Japan

    Hideaki Terashima

  2. Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA, USA

    Barry S. Hewlett

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Ando, J. (2016). Evolutionary Locus of the Neanderthal Between Chimpanzees and Modern Humans: A Working Memory, Theory of Mind, and Brain Developmental, Piagetian Perspective. In: Terashima, H., Hewlett, B.S. (eds) Social Learning and Innovation in Contemporary Hunter-Gatherers. Replacement of Neanderthals by Modern Humans Series. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55997-9_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55997-9_25

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