PSYn5803 The Evolution of Human Cognition

Fakulta sociálních studií
jaro 2021
Rozsah
0/0/0. 3 kr. Ukončení: z.
Vyučující
Josefína Weinerová (přednášející)
Radim Lacina, B.A., M.Sc. (pomocník)
Garance
Mgr. Jan Širůček, Ph.D.
Katedra psychologie – Fakulta sociálních studií
Dodavatelské pracoviště: Katedra psychologie – Fakulta sociálních studií
Předpoklady
Sufficient proficiency in academic English
Omezení zápisu do předmětu
Předmět je určen pouze studentům mateřských oborů.

Předmět si smí zapsat nejvýše 10 stud.
Momentální stav registrace a zápisu: zapsáno: 0/10, pouze zareg.: 0/10
Cíle předmětu
Humans possess a brain that is about seven times larger, than would be expected given their body size. This unexpectedly large (and energetically taxing) brain allows our species many cognitive advantages, including advanced executive functioning and the ability to communicate in language. Thanks to these characteristics, humans have become the most prevalent animal species on our planet, inhabiting and thriving in practically all possible environments. However, findings from modern study evolution of humans and other animals show that many of these traits are in fact to some extent present in other species as well. By connecting findings from comparative psychology and biological anthropology this course will aim to answer the question of what we have learned from the study of nonhuman species about the evolution of human cognitive capabilities.
Výstupy z učení
By mastering the course students will: - Show understanding of evolutionary processes.
- Exhibit knowledge of the different cognitive traits present in humans and other animals.
- Understand the methods used to research the evolution of cognitive traits in comparative psychology and biological anthropology.
- Be able to debate the main scientific viewpoints on the evolution of human cognitive abilities and whether these abilities are unique in the animal kingdom.
Osnova
  • 1a) Introduction into the field of biological anthropology and comparative psychology
  • 1b) Evolution of humans and human traits
  • 1c) Big brains: foraging or social influences?
  • 2a) What is intelligence?
  • 2b) Social learning
  • 2c) Mental time travel: Remembering the past and planning for the future
  • 3a) Language and communication I
  • 3b) Language and communication II
  • 3c) Language and communication III
  • 4a) Consciousness and self-awareness: Can animals recognize themselves in a mirror?
  • 4b) Replaying the tape of life: convergent evolution of human traits
  • 4c) Conclusion: so are humans uniquely unique?
Výukové metody
Lectures, class discussion, reading
Metody hodnocení
Course will be assessed (Pass/Fail) based on an essay of 1200-1500 words answering one of the predetermined questions. Should students want to decide on their own question, this question has to be consulted with the lecturer.
Vyučovací jazyk
Angličtina
Další komentáře
Studijní materiály
  • Statistika zápisu (nejnovější)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/predmet/fss/jaro2021/PSYn5803