The technical reasoning hypothesis does not rule out the potential key roles of imitation and working memory for CTC. (2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Motes-Rodrigo, Alba; Reindl, Eva; Bandini, Elisa
• Is Part Of: Behavioral and brain sciences. Volume 43(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020
• Subjects: Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Brain -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1017/S0140525X20000047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-525X

Abstract

Abstract: To support their claim for technical reasoning skills rather than imitation as the key for cumulative technological culture (CTC), Osiurak and Reynaud argue that chimpanzees can imitate mechanical actions, but do not have CTC. They also state that an increase in working memory in human evolution could not have been a key driver of CTC. We discuss why we disagree with these claims.