chapter 7 Flashcards
why did we evolve big brains?
so that we could communicate and stratigize?
why did we become obligate bipeds?
1: tool use, and dexterity with hands.
2: thermoregulation (reach air flow)
3: efficiency of locomotion (use of energy)
why did we get reduced hair coverage?
tied to the development of sweating a very effective way of thermoregulation system in hot weather.
how did we start hunting and eating meat?
A larger brain made it easier to stratigize when hunting. A larger brain also provided a reason to eat more nutrient dense food.
when was there a jump in brain size.
When the Australopithicenes evolved into the hominin species
what is encephalization quotient(eq)?
formula that allows comparison for brain size to body size
what is an endocranial cast?
shows the brain size of a fossil
what is socialization theory?
group social interaction is more cognitively complex than most other types of behavior. This requires a bigger brain.
successful navigation in social groups, requires each of us to monitor three levels of complexity what are they?
1: keep track of your relationship with every individual.
2: keep track of the relationships others have with individuals.
3: these relationships are always changing.
what is the main purpose of language?
language allows us to more accurately and directly express our desires and intentions.
what gives us the ability of hyper-cooperation? (3)
ability to know what others are thinking (theory of mind) we have the ability to attribute mental states to others
2: ability to understand and appreciate the value of cooperating to achieve a common goal.
3: ability to put our individual goals and emotions on hold to achieve that shared goal
would langauge be used to often assist in group hunts?
no, because they would hand signs instead.
what is dissembling? or to dissemble
lie or white lie
some major advantages of language?
communicate about the past and future, store information collectively, super charges culture, helps communicate about things that are not present and abstract concepts
what are the two main types of sweat glands that mamals have?
sebaceous glands and eccrine glands.
what type of sweat gland do humans have more of?
eccrine glands(2-4m)
when would a darker skin have appeared in our ancestors?
An extended period of time in enviroments UV radiation was stronger would cause the selection of a darker skin tone
what does the human digestive system indicate?
its much shorter than a herbivores and around the length of a carnivores indicating the fact that humans are more similar to carnivores then herbivores.
why is meat eating important to encephilization?
more nutrients and energy required to run the brain.
what 4 factors influence the amount of energy an organism needs?
1: the organisms body size
2: the environment it lives in
3: the organisms metabolism
4: type of nutrition
what is the cooking hypothesis?
the discovery of fire and cooking supported a larger brain.
what methods could the body use to adapt for the amount of energy the brain takes?
change diet (eat foods with with more protein and fat)
discover fire (cooked food digests more efficiently)
what is complex language theory?
the theory that complex hunting requires complex language.
as-well as the theory that complex is necessary for teaching offspring.
who came up with the theory that we developed bipedalism for tool use?
darwin
