Evolutionary Neuropsychology: The Evolution of the Structures and Functions of the Human Brain presents the essential thinking behind neural reuse theories and how major exaptations have profoundly influenced modern brain structures and functions. In order to establish a baseline of knowledge, the book begins by presenting the specific features of the current human brain and its evolutionary background. It then overviews the evolutionary timeline of life-hence animals, primates and hominids, covering the more important exaptations that are thought to have occurred in the evolution of today's human brain.
With this background in place, the book then examines the theories of neural tissue reuse (exaptations) and the various hypotheses on how neural circuitry of the human brain has been recycled, repurposed and redeployed for new, higher cognitive purposes-often without losing original function.
- Clearly defines and delineates adaptations versus exaptations
- Explores ten major exaptations of the human brain
- Presents the evolution of the brain by the original adaptations of natural selection
- Discusses the controversial topic of 'embodied cognition'
- Emphasizes the anthropological grade shifts between Neanderthals and modern Homo sapiens
- Includes an extensive glossary of neuropsychological, cognitive, anthropological, archaeological and other terminology
Table of Contents
1. A Brief History of Life, the First Appearance of Brains, Dual Hemispheres, Adaptations versus Exaptations and Theories of Neuronal Recycling2. A History of Animals, Mammals, Primates, Hominids, and the Earliest Roots of Homo Sapiens
3. Introduction to the Brain's Basic Features and Its Vocabulary
4. The Hippocampus, Navigation, and Memory Processing
5. Sleep and Dreams are Exapted for the Offline Processing of Memories
6. The Adaptation and Exaptations of the Frontal Lobes and the Prefrontal Cortex
7. The Temporal Lobes: A Series of Exaptations from Sound Instigation and Processing to Fully Symbolic and Syntactical Language
8. The Parietal Lobes: Somatosensory Integration to Sense of Self and Beyond
9. The Cerebellum: From Movement to Control to Thought Control
10. Embodied Cognition: How the Mind Leaks Beyond the Confines of the Brain
Authors
Coolidge, Frederick L.- Research focuses on lifespan research in behavioral genetics, personality disorders, and paleopsychology.
-Three-time Fulbright Fellowship scholar.
-Has published six books including Statistics: A Gentle Introduction, Third Edition (Sage, 2012); How to Think Like a Neandertal (Oxford 2011); Cognitive Archaeology and Human Evolution (Cambridge 2009); The Rise of Homo Sapiens: The Evolution of Modern Thinking (Wiley 2009); Dream Interpretation as a Psychotherapeutic Technique (Radcliffe 2006); and Personality Disorders and Older Adults (Wiley 2006).
-Feature articles about his work on cognitive archaeology have appears in Science News, American Scientist, Science, and New Scientist.
