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Comparing Geometric Shape Representations in Humans and Baboons: A Language of Thought Perspective.

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  • 1Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour College, University College London.

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|January 27, 2026
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Summary

Humans and baboons show differences in geometric shape representation. However, baboons demonstrated a weak ability to process shapes using a proposed Language of Thought (LoT) when given more time, suggesting some shared evolutionary origins.

Keywords:
BaboonsComparative cognitionDelayed match‐to‐sampleGeometryLanguage of ThoughtShapes

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Science
  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Comparative Cognition

Background:

  • Humans universally produce diverse geometric shapes.
  • A proposed Language of Thought (LoT) models human geometric representation.
  • Previous studies suggested human uniqueness in geometric abilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the evolutionary origins of geometric representations.
  • Compare human and baboon (Papio papio) performance on a delayed geometric match-to-sample task.
  • Examine the influence of presentation speed and LoT complexity on shape processing.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a delayed geometric match-to-sample task with humans and baboons.
  • Manipulated stimulus presentation speed (fast vs. slow trials).
  • Sampled shapes from a proposed LoT, varying in predicted geometric complexity.

Main Results:

  • Behavioral patterns differed significantly between humans and baboons.
  • Baboons showed a weak, but detectable, contribution of LoT representations on slower trials.
  • Increased looking time positively correlated with LoT-based predictors in both species.
  • Humans self-paced to benefit from slower presentations for complex shapes; baboons did not.

Conclusions:

  • Geometric representation abilities show some shared evolutionary roots between humans and baboons.
  • Humans possess a more sophisticated ability to utilize LoT representations and self-paced learning for complex shapes.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the evolutionary trajectory of geometric cognition.