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Runaway brain-culture coevolution as a reason for larger brains: exploring the ‘cultural drive’ hypothesis by computer modeling
  • Alexander Markov,
  • Mikhail Markov
Alexander Markov
Moscow State University

Corresponding Author:markov_a@inbox.ru

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Mikhail Markov
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Abstract

Scale and tempo of brain expansion in the course of human evolution implies that this process was driven by a positive feedback. The ‘cultural drive’ hypothesis suggests a possible mechanism for the runaway brain-culture coevolution wherein high-fidelity social learning results in accumulation of cultural traditions which, in turn, promote selection for still more efficient social learning. Here we explore this evolutionary mechanism by means of computer modeling. Simulations confirm its plausibility in a social species in a socio-ecological situation that makes the sporadic invention of new beneficial and cognitively demanding behaviours possible. The chances for the runaway brain-culture coevolution increase when some of the culturally transmitted behaviours are individually beneficial while the others are group-beneficial. In this case, ‘cultural drive’ is possible under varying levels of between-group competition and migration. Modeling implies that brain expansion can receive additional boost if the evolving mechanisms of social learning are costly in terms of brain expansion (e.g., rely on complex neuronal curcuits) and tolerant to the complexity of information transferred, that is, make it possible to transfer complex skills and concepts easily. Human language presumably fits this description. Modeling also confirms that the runaway brain-culture coevolution can be accelerated by additional positive feedback loops via population growth and lifespan extension, and that between-group competition and cultural group selection can facilitate the propagation of group-beneficial behaviours and remove maladaptive cultural traditions from the population’s culture, which individual selection is unable to do.
17 Jan 2020Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
21 Jan 2020Submission Checks Completed
21 Jan 2020Assigned to Editor
29 Jan 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
07 Mar 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Mar 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
31 Mar 20201st Revision Received
01 Apr 2020Submission Checks Completed
01 Apr 2020Assigned to Editor
01 Apr 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Apr 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 Apr 2020Editorial Decision: Accept