Single Idea 4915

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 8. Brain]

Full Idea

Brain size in primates is closely associated with the size of the social group in which the animal lives.

Gist of Idea

In primates, brain size correlates closely with size of social group

Source

Rita Carter (Mapping the Mind [1998], p.257)

Book Reference

Carter,Rita: 'Mapping the Mind' [Phoenix 2000], p.257


A Reaction

Intriguing. Humans can have huge social groups because of language, which suggests a chicken-or-egg question. Language, intelligence and size of social group must have expanded together in humans.