Theory of mind: evolutionary history of a cognitive specialization
Abstract
Traditional analyses of the evolution of intelligence have emphasized commonality and continuity among species. However, recent research suggests that humans might have specialized in a particular kind of intelligence that is related to understanding mental states such as desires, intentions and beliefs. Data indicate that the ability to reflect on one's own mental states, as well as those of others, might be the result of evolutionary changes in the prefrontal cortex. Behavioral studies in children and chimpanzees reveal both similarities and striking differences in the developmental pathways that lead to theory-of-mind capacities. Humans and great apes share many ancient patterns of social behavior, but it is too early to be certain if they interpret them in the same manner. Humans might have evolved a cognitive specialization in theory of mind, forever altering their view of the social universe.
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The PFC expanded enormously in primates, culminating in humans.
“Among the most recent additions are several association areas, particularly the PFC, which has expanded enormously in primates culminating in humans [14].”
From Development of prefrontal cortex (2022) · cites this paper as [14]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Povinelli, D. J., & Preuss, T. M.
- Affiliations
- Tulane University (US)
- Vanderbilt University (US)
- Venue
- Trends in Neurosciences
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1995-09
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 418-424
- ISSN
- 0166-2236 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1998325961
- Cited by
- 294
- References
- 52
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 42
- FWCI
- 5.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Trends in Neurosciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Center for Research Resources (RR-03583-05)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Keywords
- theory of mind, evolution of intelligence, cognitive specialization, prefrontal cortex, self-reflection, chimpanzees, great apes, social cognition, child development, comparative cognition
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Brain, Cognition, Biological Evolution, Humans
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