what makes us smarter than animals? Is it our speech?
2006-11-01 06:46:59 · 8 answers · asked by missy1976 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
We're not smarter. Just more arrogant
2006-11-01 06:52:57 · answer #1 · answered by CJ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Speech is a by-product of our intelligence, it is not the thing that MAKES us more intelligent. Basically, the size of our brains in proportion to our body mass contributes directly to intelligence. It is also speculated that because we've been using tools and have had to resort to the analytical sides of our brains for the last million years or so, we increased our own intelligence by the practice of using it.
If instead however you meant to ask 'in what ways are we more intelligent than animals' that is a different question altogether and you would have to ask.
2006-11-01 14:52:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Smart" is a subjective term and is defined differently by different people.
However, we do have cognitive abilities/features that differ from other animals.
One example is our larger prefrontal cortex compared to animals. It is theorized that having a larger prefrontal cortex aides in our more refined executive functions (e.g. planning, cognitive flexibility, abstract thinking, rule acquisition, initiating appropriate actions and inhibiting inappropriate actions).
Another example is our temporal lobe, which is also large than in animals. The temporal lobe is the part of the brain that is involved with language.
2006-11-01 15:15:36 · answer #3 · answered by EruditeGuy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of things, including the pre-frontal cortex. Monkeys have a little portion of what we have over our eyes. They can use tools, and supposedly use keypads for pictures or words. Even control a robotic arm over the internet.
But we can reason, and create.
We can find ways to overcome our emotional reactions to most thigns, and rewire our own brains by practice!
2006-11-01 18:35:49 · answer #4 · answered by starryeyed 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More advanced brains and the ability to learn from past mistakes... we're overall more advanced than animals are....
Well... some of us at least.
2006-11-01 14:55:05 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1.highly specialized brain especially the cortex
2.learning from past experience
3.centers in the brain which inhibit instincts
2006-11-01 15:12:55 · answer #6 · answered by going-to-light 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the way God made us
2006-11-01 14:49:36 · answer #7 · answered by tanya 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
our minds that God gives us is that thing.
2006-11-01 15:39:07 · answer #8 · answered by Geek 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋