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SARA-C: A core mechanism underlying g in evolution and development.

Andreas Demetriou^1,2, Andreas Savva³, George Spanoudis³

¹Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus demetriou.andreas.1@ucy.ac.cy.

The Behavioral and Brain Sciences

|November 3, 2025

Summary

A new cognitive mechanism, Search, Align, Relate, Abstract, Cognize (SARA-C), unifies cognitive complexity across species. This model explains the evolution of intelligence from simple reflexes to human self-awareness.

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Science
Evolutionary Biology
Neuroscience

Background:

Cognitive complexity (CC) emerges across evolutionary and developmental timelines.
Understanding the core mechanisms driving CC remains a significant challenge in science.
Existing models often focus on specific taxa or cognitive abilities, lacking a unifying framework.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose and validate a unified mechanism, SARA-C (Search, Align, Relate, Abstract, Cognize), for the emergence of cognitive complexity.
To demonstrate how SARA-C can explain the evolutionary trajectory of cognitive abilities across diverse species.
To link active sensing and trait-linkage to the development of advanced cognitive functions.

Main Methods:

Development of a Bayesian modeling framework to simulate the evolution of the SARA-C mechanism.
Analysis of trait-linkage and active sensing strategies in various taxa.
Comparative study across Annelids, arthropods, cephalopods, vertebrates, and humans.

Main Results:

The SARA-C mechanism provides a parsimonious explanation for the increasing cognitive complexity observed in evolutionary history.
Bayesian modeling successfully demonstrates the step-by-step evolution of SARA-C, from basic reflexes to complex reasoning.
Specific stages of SARA-C evolution correlate with distinct cognitive abilities observed in different animal groups.

Conclusions:

The SARA-C mechanism offers a unifying framework for understanding the evolution and development of cognitive complexity.
Active sensing and trait-linkage are critical components in the emergence of sophisticated cognitive functions.
This research provides a novel perspective on the fundamental processes underlying intelligence across the tree of life.