Machiavellian intelligence: social expertise and the evolution of intellect in monkeys, apes, and humans

Abstract

The topic of social (as opposed to technical) intelligence is a current issue in human evolution and primatology. In this rather expensive volume, recognized leaders in these fields review social manipulation of conspecifics by primates. Most chapters report on nonhuman primates and a few on children. Topics covered include deception, levels of social complexity, evidence of primate "mind reading," and exploiting the expertise of others. There is broad coverage of species. Two summary chapters review the material and give suggestions for future direction of the field. This volume is about one-half anthology and one-half symposium proceedings. Several chapters are reprints of, or extracts from, older works; others represent current reviews, and still others report new material. The writing is generally free of technical jargon and should be accessible to most undergraduate and all graduate-level readers; general readers will find some difficulty with many chapters. Production of the book is good although, for the price, one might expect more illustrations, some photographs, and a more than minimal index. Libraries with adequate funds may purchase the book in the knowledge that it will be current for some time, and the collection of these diverse views in one volume is useful to the student.