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Interactions with conspecific outsiders as drivers of cognitive evolution
Benjamin J Ashton1,2, Patrick Kennedy1, Andrew N Radford3
1School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK.
The social intelligence hypothesis needs revision. Including interactions with outsiders, not just within groups, better explains cognitive evolution in animals facing competition.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Comparative psychology
- Behavioral ecology
Background:
- The social intelligence hypothesis (SIH) suggests within-group interactions drive cognitive evolution.
- Existing evidence for the SIH is inconclusive.
- The SIH may neglect the significant role of interactions with conspecific outsiders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose an expanded framework for the social intelligence hypothesis.
- To incorporate interactions with conspecific outsiders into the study of cognitive evolution.
- To highlight the cognitive challenges posed by outsiders.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of social intelligence.
- Review of ecological and evolutionary principles.
- Theoretical framework development.
Main Results:
- Conspecific outsider interactions present significant threats and opportunities.
- These interactions create cognitive challenges that select for advanced intelligence ('Napoleonic' intelligence).
- The SIH's explanatory power can be enhanced by including these external interactions.
Conclusions:
- Interactions with conspecific outsiders are crucial for understanding cognitive evolution.
- Future research should empirically test the influence of outsider interactions.
- An expanded SIH offers a more comprehensive view of sociality and cognition.
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