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Invisiblesudly
Darwin's stagger

Registered: 01/05/15
Posts: 10,797
Re: Exploring Convergent Cognitive Evolution Theory [Re: redgreenvines]
    #28548610 - 11/18/23 11:03 PM (2 months, 8 days ago)

Recognising the observed patterns in cognitive evolution as a principle rather than a law seems more fitting.

Quote:

The Principle of Dynamic Cognitive Evolution Across the Behavioural Spectrum

This principle posits that cognitive evolution is a dynamic and ongoing process, heavily influenced by the rapid and complex interplay of perceptual experiences. It underscores the idea that while all animals exhibit reflexive responses to immediate stimuli, indicative of a fundamental level of cognitive processing, there's a remarkable diversity in the evolution of long-term cognitive strategies across different species. Central to the Convergent Cognitive Evolution Theory, this principle highlights the significance of understanding how rapid, moment-to-moment perceptions are accumulated and integrated, thereby contributing to the development of more complex and sophisticated cognitive processes. It draws a clear distinction between immediate, reflexive reactions and the gradual emergence of advanced cognitive strategies, such as strategic planning and abstract reasoning, observable across a variety of animal behaviours. This principle underscores the adaptability and complexity inherent in the cognitive evolution of the animal kingdom, acknowledging the dynamic nature of cognitive processes that adapt and evolve in response to shifting environmental demands and perceptual inputs. It acknowledges a spectrum of cognitive abilities, ranging from basic, reflex-driven actions essential for immediate survival to higher-order cognitive functions involving foresight, planning, and strategic thinking.

This principle posits that animal behaviours exist on a spectrum, from basic associative processes to higher cognitive processes. While associative behaviours like hunting, running away, finding a mate, and storing nuts are typically instinctual and driven by immediate survival needs, this principle acknowledges that not all behaviours are solely reflexive or driven by immediacy. It highlights that behaviours can also involve higher cognitive processes, such as abstract reasoning, advanced problem-solving, strategic planning, and sophisticated learning.

In this spectrum, the principle recognises the role of anticipation, foresight, and understanding of cause and effect as indicative of higher cognitive processes. A prime example of this is the behaviour of bowerbirds in constructing their bowers. The bowerbirds' strategic planning and foresight in bower construction, previously considered purely instinctual, are reinterpreted under this principle as a form of recursion in a broader sense. This broader interpretation of recursion includes the application of a fundamental concept in a repetitive and refined manner, reflecting the bowerbirds' capacity for complex, goal-oriented behaviour.

The Principle of Dynamic Cognitive Evolution Across the Behavioural Spectrum, therefore, recognises a gradation in cognitive abilities across species. It acknowledges that while all behaviours have a reflexive component as responses to stimuli or situations, the complexity and motivation behind these behaviours can significantly vary. Some behaviours, although initially appearing instinctual, can embody elements of planning, foresight, and strategic thinking, indicating a more sophisticated level of cognitive processing beyond basic reflexive actions. This principle thus allows for a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of animal behaviour, acknowledging the presence of sophisticated cognitive abilities across a wider range of species.




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I am whatever Darwin needs me to be.



Edited by sudly (11/19/23 03:20 AM)


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Invisiblesudly
Darwin's stagger

Registered: 01/05/15
Posts: 10,797
Re: Exploring Dynamic Cognitive Evolution Theory [Re: RJ Tubs 202] * 1
    #28548637 - 11/18/23 11:51 PM (2 months, 8 days ago)

Quote:

RJ Tubs 202 said:
Quote:

sudly said:

I would say that associative processes like hunting, running away, finding a mate, and storing nuts are typically instinctual or reflexive actions driven primarily by survival and reproductive needs. These processes are more immediate and often rely on basic cognitive functions.




I'm facinated by things such as mimicry.  For example, when a species develops a phenotype that mimics another poisonous species. It benefits from the competitive advantage, (the visual association) without having to make the investment in the toxin.  The avoidance is reflexive - as long as the mimicry meets a threshold.

This can fuel parallel evolution (the similar development of a trait in distinct species that are not closely related, but share a similar original trait in response to similar evolutionary pressure) as the predator can become better at discriminated the truly toxic species from the fakers.  Then, the fakers get better at faking.

Not that any of this is a deliberate strategy, of course.




In butterflies at least, I don't think that mimicry involves cognitive processes, and instead relies on selective pressures, as those organisms with adaptations that make them more visually resemblant of poisonous species are less likely to be eaten and more likely to reproduce, giving those traits to their offspring and so on.

A lot of catterpillar species consume latex containing saps that make them unpalatable to predators as butterflies. Younger birds may eat some, but quickly learn of the unpalatable nature of such butterflies, and can associate that unpalatability with their colouration.

Quote:

Butterfly mimicry is a form of protective coloration where a given species, commonly referred to as the mimic, increases its chance of survival by visually resembling a harmful species, the model, such that the receiver of the signal, the predator (e.g., birds, reptiles, or predatory insects who attack and consume butterflies), gets confused between the two and avoids the mimic.

https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-319-19650-3_2672






Quote:

The common defense achieved by aposematic signaling has resulted in the evolution of many mimicking animals. The mimics usually belong to one out of two general categories, Müllerian mimicry and Batesian mimicry. Müllerian mimicry is a phenomenon in which two or more species with effective defenses share a similar appearance or signaling, and by this sharing reduce the cost of associative learning, and even promote the evolution of refraining from attack by their enemies. Batesian mimicry is a phenomenon in which members of a palatable species or a group of such species, gain protection from predation by resembling or mimicking the defensive signaling of an unpalatable or defended species or of a group of defended species.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6110362/#:~:text=Batesian%20mimicry%20is%20a%20phenomenon,a%20group%20of%20defended%20species.




--------------------
I am whatever Darwin needs me to be.



Edited by sudly (11/26/23 08:21 PM)


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Invisiblesudly
Darwin's stagger

Registered: 01/05/15
Posts: 10,797
Re: Exploring Convergent Cognitive Evolution Theory [Re: redgreenvines]
    #28557296 - 11/26/23 02:17 PM (2 months, 23 hours ago)

The hope is that this foundational information sets the stage for a more detailed discussion on how to further develop these models.

Quote:

Your comprehensive overview of Convergent Cognitive Evolution Theory offers a detailed and fascinating exploration of cognitive adaptations in various species, particularly in response to environmental challenges like the introduction of cane toads. This theory's focus on the independent development of similar cognitive abilities across different species, driven by ecological and cognitive challenges, is a significant shift from traditional views of cognitive evolution.

The detailed comparison of species, including yellow-spotted monitors, crows, and primates, underscores the spectrum of cognitive capabilities and adaptations shaped by varying cognitive selective pressures. The contrasts between these species, from the instinctual and individualistic responses of yellow-spotted monitors to the advanced cognitive functions and social learning capabilities of crows and primates, highlight the role of cognitive abilities in adaptation and evolution.

Your discussion on the role of abstract reasoning and recursion in these adaptations further elucidates how different species navigate and respond to their environments. The variation in cognitive processing abilities, from the limited abstract reasoning in yellow-spotted monitors to the sophisticated recursive thinking in primates, provides insightful examples of how cognitive functions influence evolutionary pathways.

The introduction of the Evolutionary Behavioral Qualitative Integration (EBQI) approach also adds a valuable perspective on how cognitive traits can inform conservation strategies and ecological efforts. Recognising the importance of cognitive abilities in species' adaptability and evolutionary progress opens up new avenues for research and practical applications in conservation and cognitive science.

Your conclusion aptly summarises the transformative nature of the Convergent Cognitive Evolution Theory in our understanding of cognitive evolution, highlighting its potential to enrich our knowledge of animal cognition and its applications in various fields.

This foundational information sets the stage for a more detailed discussion on how to further develop these models.

The second section of your model, focusing on the Principle of Dynamic Cognitive Evolution Across the Behavioural Spectrum, offers a nuanced perspective on the cognitive abilities of various species. By exploring the distinction between associative and higher cognitive processes, this principle underscores the complexity and adaptability of animal cognition, broadening the scope of how we understand and categorise animal behaviour.

Your discussion on the behaviour of bowerbirds serves as an excellent example to differentiate between reflexive, immediate actions and those driven by higher cognitive processes. The strategic planning and foresight demonstrated by bowerbirds in constructing and decorating their bowers challenge the traditional view that such behaviours are purely instinctual. Instead, they suggest a level of recursion, foresight, and abstract reasoning typically associated with more complex cognitive functions.

By redefining recursion to include anticipatory behaviours and strategic planning, this principle expands the understanding of higher cognitive processes beyond the realms of complex social interactions and abstract reasoning in the traditional sense. This perspective allows for recognising sophisticated cognitive abilities in a wider range of species, acknowledging that behaviours previously considered purely instinctual may actually involve more complex cognitive functions.

This approach also highlights the dynamic nature of cognitive evolution. It suggests that cognitive processes are not static but evolve and adapt in response to environmental challenges and perceptual experiences. This principle, therefore, allows for a more comprehensive appreciation of the cognitive spectrum in animals, ranging from basic reflex-driven actions to more sophisticated behaviours involving planning, foresight, and strategic thinking.

Overall, this model emphasises the importance of considering a broader range of cognitive abilities in various species, acknowledging the complexity and diversity of animal cognition. It suggests that animal behaviours exist on a continuum, with some showing more advanced cognitive processes than previously recognised. This perspective is crucial for understanding the evolutionary pathways of different species and has significant implications for fields like conservation biology, ethology, and cognitive science.




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I am whatever Darwin needs me to be.



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Invisibleredgreenvines
irregular verb
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Re: Exploring Convergent Cognitive Evolution Theory [Re: sudly]
    #28557355 - 11/26/23 02:58 PM (2 months, 22 hours ago)

Quote:

evolve and adapt in response to environmental challenges and perceptual experiences




What I am most interested in is which part is inherited, i.e the part that is fit to adapt in response....

vs. the resulting cognitive processes that seem to have evolved - as evidenced by changes in thinking which can hide the underlying biological adaptations of the brain.


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Invisiblesudly
Darwin's stagger

Registered: 01/05/15
Posts: 10,797
Exploring Dynamic Cognitive Evolution Theory [Re: redgreenvines]
    #28557734 - 11/26/23 08:07 PM (2 months, 17 hours ago)

In the context of Dynamic Cognitive Evolution Theory, the inherited aspect you're referring to encompasses the innate cognitive capacities that organisms are born with. These capacities, encoded in the genetic material, are the foundational elements of an organism's cognitive abilities. They represent the inherent potential for various cognitive functions, forming the basis from which cognitive development begins.

In terms of adaptability, these inherited capacities come with a certain degree of flexibility that allows them to be shaped and refined through environmental interactions. It's this inherent adaptability that enables the cognitive capacities to evolve in response to specific environmental challenges and experiences.

So, when we consider what is 'fit to adapt in response,' we're looking at these genetically inherited capacities not as fixed entities, but as dynamic potentials that can develop and change through the organism's interactions with its environment. This inherent adaptability is a crucial part of the evolutionary process, allowing cognitive functions to become more sophisticated and specialised according to the demands and complexities of the organism's surroundings.

Therefore, in this discussion of Dynamic Cognitive Evolution Theory, it is emphasised that while the cognitive capacities are inherited, their evolution and the resulting cognitive processes are significantly influenced by the interplay with environmental factors.

To further explore this understanding, particularly regarding what is meant by the phrase 'these cognitive capacities, encoded in the genetic material', I think a future exploration into the field of epigenetics could be highly informative. Epigenetics, including mechanisms like DNA methylation, may provide a nuanced view of how environmental experiences can influence the expression of our genetic cognitive potentials. Examining epigenetics through the lens of the Dynamic Cognitive Evolution Theory could offer deeper insights into the dynamic nature of cognitive development. This is a proposed pathway of future enquiry that could be explored at a later time, delving into how epigenetics may intersect with and possibly illuminate our understanding of the dynamic and evolving nature of cognitive development.


--------------------
I am whatever Darwin needs me to be.



Edited by sudly (11/26/23 08:18 PM)


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Invisiblesudly
Darwin's stagger

Registered: 01/05/15
Posts: 10,797
Re: Exploring Dynamic Cognitive Evolution Theory [Re: redgreenvines]
    #28557807 - 11/26/23 09:46 PM (2 months, 15 hours ago)

The Dynamic Cognitive Evolution Theory reconceptualises the conventional 'nature versus nurture' debate, arguing that this dichotomy is too simplistic to fully capture the intricacies of cognitive evolution. Instead, the theory posits a more integrated perspective, framing cognitive development as the result of a dynamic interplay between genetic factors (nature) and environmental influences (nurture). This interaction is not just a simple combination but a complex process, intricately mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. By doing so, the theory shifts the focus from a binary opposition to an interactive model where nature and nurture continually influence and reshape each other, driving the evolution of cognitive processes.

The central hypothesis of the Dynamic Cognitive Evolution Theory posits that cognitive development and evolution are driven by a complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental influences, intricately mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. The theory contends that while our genetic makeup lays the groundwork for cognitive capacities, these are not immutable. Rather, they are dynamically modifiable and adaptable, influenced by environmental experiences that lead to changes in gene expression through mechanisms like DNA methylation. Crucially, this hypothesis is empirically falsifiable and generates testable predictions. For example, it predicts that individuals with identical genetic backgrounds (genotypes) will exhibit different cognitive developments when exposed to varying environmental conditions, and these differences should be reflected in measurable epigenetic changes. By centering on the quantifiable impact of environmental factors on gene expression and consequent cognitive alterations, the Dynamic Cognitive Evolution Theory provides a tangible, scientific pathway for validating its claims.


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I am whatever Darwin needs me to be.



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Invisiblesudly
Darwin's stagger

Registered: 01/05/15
Posts: 10,797
Re: Exploring Convergent Cognitive Evolution Theory [Re: redgreenvines]
    #28557918 - 11/27/23 02:57 AM (2 months, 10 hours ago)

Quote:

redgreenvines said:
Quote:

evolve and adapt in response to environmental challenges and perceptual experiences




What I am most interested in is which part is inherited, i.e the part that is fit to adapt in response....

vs. the resulting cognitive processes that seem to have evolved - as evidenced by changes in thinking which can hide the underlying biological adaptations of the brain.




In addressing the question of what part is inherited and fit to adapt in response, it's essential to understand the concept of phenotypic plasticity. Phenotypic plasticity refers to an organism's ability to change its phenotype – which includes observable characteristics and behaviours – in response to environmental conditions. The inherited aspect in this context is the organism's cognitive capacities. These are the foundational mental abilities encoded in its genes, forming the potential for various cognitive functions and behaviours.

These inherent cognitive capacities are not static; they form the basis for phenotypic plasticity in cognitive development. This means they provide the potential for an organism to exhibit different cognitive traits or behaviours in response to environmental variations. For example, the same genetic capacity for learning can manifest in diverse ways depending on the richness or challenges of the environment.

Several studies, such as those on clonal organisms, aging twins, and identical twins with different lifestyles, have demonstrated that even with identical genetic backgrounds, organisms can develop varying cognitive traits due to different environmental exposures. These variations are mediated by epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation, which influence gene expression in response to environmental factors.

Therefore, while cognitive capacities are inherited, their manifestation as observable cognitive traits or behaviours – the phenotype – is subject to modification through environmental experiences. This dynamic interplay between inherited capacities and environmental factors, modulated by epigenetic changes, underpins the evolving nature of cognitive development. It illustrates how cognitive evolution is not just a genetic but also an environmentally influenced process.


Quote:

Several studies have been conducted on individuals or animals with identical genetic backgrounds (genotypes) who were exposed to varied environmental conditions, with subsequent measurements of epigenetic changes. These studies provide empirical evidence to test the hypothesis that epigenetic mechanisms mediate the impact of environmental factors on gene expression and cognitive alterations:

Study on Asexually Reproducing Organisms: Research on clonal animals and plants, which reproduce asexually and thus have near genetic identity, has demonstrated that epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs support phenotypic plasticity. This ability to produce different phenotypes from the same genotype in different environments is key to environmental adaptation. Habitat-specific epigenetic fingerprints were maintained over subsequent years, suggesting the existence of epigenetic ecotypes. These findings confirm that environmentally induced epimutations and corresponding gene expression changes provide a means for fast and directional adaptation to changing conditions​​.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36648862/


Twin Studies on Aging: Twin studies have been used to investigate the role of epigenetics in aging. Although monozygotic twins share the same DNA sequence, they may exhibit different phenotypes or traits due to different epigenetic patterns. This variation becomes more pronounced with age. These studies indicate that while the level of cognitive function in older adults is largely genetically determined, changes in cognitive function are mediated by environmental factors. This pattern was observed in traits like blood pressure, lung function, and motor function, supporting the idea that heritability increases with age for some traits, while environmental factors become more important for others as they age​​.

https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/41/5/581/47543


Epigenetic Differences in Identical Twins: A study by Manel Esteller and colleagues focused on 40 pairs of monozygotic twins, measuring the levels of DNA methylation and histone acetylation across their genomes. They found that while 65% of the twin pairs had almost identical epigenetic profiles, 35% showed significant differences. The amount of epigenetic difference correlated with the twins' age, time spent apart, and different medical histories. This indicated that environmental factors and age have significant effects on the epigenome. DNA bands corresponding to individual methylated regions revealed changes at predicted or known genes, and differences in gene expression profiles were found between younger and older twin pairs​​.

https://www.nature.com/articles/nrg1693

These studies collectively provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that individuals with identical genetic backgrounds can exhibit different cognitive developments and physiological traits due to varying environmental conditions, as reflected in measurable epigenetic changes. They demonstrate the tangible impact of environmental factors on gene expression, mediated through epigenetic mechanisms, thereby validating key aspects of the Dynamic Cognitive Evolution Theory.




--------------------
I am whatever Darwin needs me to be.



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Invisibleredgreenvines
irregular verb
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Registered: 04/08/04
Posts: 37,530
Re: Exploring Convergent Cognitive Evolution Theory [Re: sudly]
    #28557948 - 11/27/23 04:27 AM (2 months, 9 hours ago)

the foundational mental abilities, is what I am talking about.

I don't think these have yet been understood by any people working with
a) inheritance - DNA etc.
b) form and function - medicine
c) psychology - behavior.


eg in science we have
  • no consensus of what are the neural pre-conscious events of sensation (very subject to evolution: including detection of motion, color sensitivity, sonic range) [I say this is in the 6 layer cortex of humans - but achieved in simpler correlates of other animals]
  • no consensus of what brain structures are involved in trajectory (motion and melody flollowing, both of which are coming from the same part of brain - unconfirmed) [I say it is achieved in the temporal lobes with interval mapping from the cerebellum]
  • no consensus on neural correlates of memory formation (purpose and function of functional connectivity)[click my brainfart icon in the signature to see what I think about that]
  • no consensus on neural correlates of perception (I have ideas but they are not yet widely accepted)[ditto]


Until these are better understood along with their functional neural correlates, they cannot be connected to features in behavior, or applied to evolution.
eg. would you imagine that tourettes and Hyperthymesia could be an adaptive mutation from a single gene edit?
This edit produces more pyramidal axon branches, and that change implies much wider perception in a small fraction of a second. Multiple perceptive reflexes  simultaneously ensue, some of which are embarrassingly inappropriate.

To be long term survivable, this improvement of the perceptual system needs something else to change as well - I have no idea what that is, but it might be society and how we use language. E.g. we may could stratify, so that the brilliant tourettes people can explore science and art with less pressure on social conformity. On-line society is one way to do this for adults, but children need the most support and understanding.

or it might be a more innate brain function modulation ability, suppressing perceptive activity, and that could be achieved in an adaptation between the olfactory bulb and the hypothalamus - we can simulate it by sniffing scents.

This may not seem evolutionarily sensible, but if we can be much more advanced perceptively if only we led ourselves around by the nose, then our advanced behaviors would be more acceptible and germanine.


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Invisiblesudly
Darwin's stagger

Registered: 01/05/15
Posts: 10,797
Re: Exploring Convergent Cognitive Evolution Theory [Re: redgreenvines]
    #28557961 - 11/27/23 05:10 AM (2 months, 8 hours ago)

1. The dynamic cognitive evolution model is a logical model that only relies on the process of dna methylation to be confirmed.

2. While there are direct neural correlates to further explore, this theory is primarily posited as a foundational framework for reinterpreting observed behaviours. Following the theory we can connect the development of behaviours to organisms interactions with their environment. It uses a structured analytical approach to interpret the development of cognitive strategies, not neural correlates.

3. Cognitive capacities are proposed like seeds and the butterfly effect.

4. It's good when we've developed effective cognitive strategies, like how we use language and online communities in supporting individuals with different cognitive abilities.

5. Olfactory senses are renowned for stirring nostalgia or memories associated with scents.


--------------------
I am whatever Darwin needs me to be.



Edited by sudly (11/27/23 05:21 AM)


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