The Evolution of Cognitive Control

doi:10.1111/j.1756-8765.2009.01078.x

Paper

The Evolution of Cognitive Control

Published Oct 1, 2010 · D. Stout

Topics in cognitive science

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65

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3

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Abstract

One of the key challenges confronting cognitive science is to discover natural categories of cognitive function. Of special interest is the unity or diversity of cognitive control mechanisms. Evolutionary history is an underutilized resource that, together with neuropsychological and neuroscientific evidence, can help to provide a biological ground for the fractionation of cognitive control. Comparative evidence indicates that primate brain evolution has produced dissociable mechanisms for external action control and internal self-regulation, but that most real-world behaviors rely on a combination of these. The archeological record further indicates the timing and context of distinctively human elaborations to these cognitive control functions, including the gradual emergence of increasingly complex hierarchical action control.

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Key takeawayPrimate brain evolution has produced dissociable mechanisms for external action control and internal self-regulation, but most real-world behaviors rely on a combination of these, with human elaborations indicating the gradual emergence of complex hierarchical action control.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

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The Evolution of Cognitive Control

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