Cognitive evolutionary pressure?

Question

Robin Dunbar, an
evolutionarypsychologist and social-
brain theorist, and others have
documented correlations between
brain size and social-group size in
many primate species. The bigger an
animal's typical group size (20 or so
for macaques, for instance, 50 or so for
chimps), the larger the percentage of
brain devoted to neocortex, the thin but
critical outer layer that accounts for
most of a primate's cognitive abilities.

In most mammals the neocortex
accounts for 30 percent to 40 percent
of brain volume. In the highly social
primates it occupies about 50 percent
to 65 percent. In humans, it's 80 ercent.

"[N]o such strong correlation exists
between neocortex size and tasks like
hunting, navigating, or creating shelter.
Understanding one another, it seems,
is our greatest cognitive challenge."

Do you ever feel misunderstood?

does any of this make sense?

iggy : I think I know what you mean by "not" understood.

Sometimes 'understanding' lags the perception by a few seconds, or minutes, or days ... and sometimes years ... and often, it *never* happpens

igglydoooble ... sorry for the msspelling and as far as understanding *all* others, i'd guess that nderstanding "neighbors" would qualify for cultural 'strength'

Lisa, is it true that extroverts understand others moreso than introverts? just a hunch

kimmiechic ... LOLOL .. yes on the 'always' tho the cognitive abilites are often enhanced via cultural/familial inheritance as well as genetic ... there is still the nature/nurture cloud

Answer 1

I do feel misunderstood from time to time-- but I rated so high on the extrovert scale (I think I had one or two introverted traits out of about 20), that interpersonal relationships are my strength.

And yes, it does make sense.

Answer 2

It makes tons of sense.
Humans are so diverse (not to mention numerous) that I doubt that any amount of neocortex is enough for us all to understand each other. But it's nice to know we've got some tools for the job.

Misunderstood? You bet. Lots. And often just *not* understood.

Answer 3

This is really interesting stuff-however, being misunderstood will always present a challenge predetermining our ability to achieve and balance our very being to exist as to mark we are all individual and survival of the fittest will always apply to humanity whether we get it or not. ...... Nice question........Have a good one and hope you understand my response. :)