The Implications of the Working Memory Model for the Evolution of Modern Cognition | Zendy

Thomas Wynn | Zendy; Frederick L. Coolidge | Zendy

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The Implications of the Working Memory Model for the Evolution of Modern Cognition

Author(s) -

Thomas Wynn,

Frederick L. Coolidge

Publication year - 2011

Publication title -

international journal of evolutionary biology

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

eISSN - 2090-8032

pISSN - 2090-052X

DOI - 10.4061/2011/741357

Subject(s) - cognition , cognitive science , working memory , paleoanthropology , sociocultural evolution , psychology , cognitive psychology , history , sociology , archaeology , neuroscience , anthropology

What distinguishes the cognition of biologically modern humans from that of more archaic populations such as Neandertals? The norm in paleoanthropology has been to emphasize the role of language and symbolism. But the modern mind is more than just an archaic mind enhanced by symbol use. It also possesses an important problem solving and planning component. In cognitive neuroscience these advanced planning abilities have been extensively investigated through a formal model known as working memory. The working memory model is now well-enough established to provide a powerful lens through which paleoanthropologists can view the fossil and archaeological records. The challenge is methodological. The following essay reviews the controversial hypothesis that a recent enhancement of working memory capacity was the final piece in the evolution of modern cognition

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