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An evolutionary perspective on altercentrism.

J M Burkart1, V Southgate2

  • 1Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich 8057, Switzerland; Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution (ISLE), University of Zurich, Affolternstrasse 56, Zürich 8050, Switzerland.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cognition in human children is fundamentally altercentric, considering others' perspectives from an early age. This perspective-taking ability is also widespread in nonhuman primates, suggesting deep evolutionary roots.

Keywords:
AltercentrismCo-representationCognitive evolutionComparative psychologyCooperative breedingPhylogeny

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Science
  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Traditionally, understanding others' perspectives (altercentrism) was seen as a late-developing human cognitive skill.
  • Recent research suggests children's cognition is inherently altercentric from an early age.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary origins of altercentric cognition.
  • To examine the prevalence of altercentrism in human children and nonhuman primates.

Main Methods:

  • Reviewed evidence of altercentric cognition in human children.
  • Developed evolutionary scenarios for altercentrism's emergence.
  • Tested these scenarios using data from nonhuman primate studies.

Main Results:

  • Altercentric cognition is widespread across species.
  • Species exhibit variations in the strength and flexibility of switching between altercentric and egocentric perspectives.
  • Evidence supports altercentrism as a fundamental aspect of cognition across development and evolution.

Conclusions:

  • Altercentric cognition is not uniquely human but is fundamental to both cognitive development and evolution.
  • Future research should focus on confirming the evolutionary significance of altercentrism.