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Behavioural Phenotypes and the Structure of Human Cognition
Dana Bentzen-Bilkvist1, Andrea Migliano1, Lucio Vinicius1
1Department of Anthropology, University College London, London, UK.
Evolutionary Biology
|March 11, 2017
Summary
Human cognitive uniqueness, including introspection, imitation, and cooperation, appears to be composed of independent behavioral phenotypes, not a single underlying factor. These distinct traits allow for diverse behavioral strategies in individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Behavioral Genetics
Background:
- Human cognitive uniqueness is often attributed to traits like introspection, imitation, and cooperation.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the population-level variation and individual correlations of these cognitive abilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether human cognitive uniqueness stems from a general underlying factor or independent behavioral phenotypes.
- To examine the variability, domain-consistency, and interrelationships of introspection, imitation, and cooperation.
Main Methods:
- Selected eight variables measuring introspection, extraversion, imitation (verbal and physical), cooperation, and punishment.
- Evaluated individual variability, domain-consistency, and sub-structuring in a sample of 84 individuals.
- Employed correlation analyses and factor analysis to assess associations within and between cognitive domains.
Main Results:
- Observed high variation and limited clustering, suggesting independent behavioral phenotypes for introspection, imitation, and cooperation.
- Found only one significant correlation (between two extraversion measures); other within-domain measures were not associated.
- No significant between-domain associations were identified through correlation or factor analysis.
Conclusions:
- Results do not support a general 'behavioral phenotype' hypothesis for human cognitive uniqueness.
- The independence of introspection, imitation, and cooperation allows for diverse behavioral strategies.
- This independence may explain distinct individual roles in maintaining human hyper-cooperation and cumulative culture.
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