The bottleneck may be the solution, not the problem. (2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lotem, Arnon; Kolodny, Oren; Halpern, Joseph Y.; Onnis, Luca; Edelman, Shimon
• Is Part Of: Behavioral and brain sciences. Volume 39(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016
• Subjects: Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Brain -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1017/S0140525X15000886
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-525X

Abstract

Abstract: As a highly consequential biological trait, a memory "bottleneck" cannot escape selection pressures. It must therefore co-evolve with other cognitive mechanisms rather than act as an independent constraint. Recent theory and an implemented model of language acquisition suggest that a limit on working memory may evolve to help learning. Furthermore, it need not hamper the use of language for communication.