A modular mind? A test using individual data from seven primate species

PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e51918. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051918. Epub 2012 Dec 19.

Abstract

It has long been debated whether the mind consists of specialized and independently evolving modules, or whether and to what extent a general factor accounts for the variance in performance across different cognitive domains. In this study, we used a hierarchical Bayesian model to re-analyse individual level data collected on seven primate species (chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, gorillas, spider monkeys, brown capuchin monkeys and long-tailed macaques) across 17 tasks within four domains (inhibition, memory, transposition and support). Our modelling approach evidenced the existence of both a domain-specific factor and a species factor, each accounting for the same amount (17%) of the observed variance. In contrast, inter-individual differences played a minimal role. These results support the hypothesis that the mind of primates is (at least partially) modular, with domain-specific cognitive skills undergoing different evolutionary pressures in different species in response to specific ecological and social demands.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atelinae
  • Cebus
  • Female
  • Gorilla gorilla
  • Individuality*
  • Male
  • Mental Processes*
  • Models, Psychological*
  • Pan paniscus
  • Pan troglodytes
  • Pongo
  • Primates / psychology*

Grants and funding

Data collection was funded by a SEDSU project (contract number 012-984 NESTPathfinder) and supported by an INCORE project (contract number 043318), both funded by the European Community’s Sixth Framework Programme (FP6/2002–2006). This work was written while Federica Amici held a Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers (Humboldt ID number: 1138999). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.