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Short-term memory, attentional control and brain size in primates

Authors :
Carel P. van Schaik
Ivo Jacobs
Judith M. Burkart
Gabriela-Alina Sauciuc
Caroline Schuppli
Tomas Persson
Zitan Song
Source :
Royal Society Open Science, Vol 11, Iss 5 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
The Royal Society, 2024.

Abstract

Brain size variability in primates has been attributed to various domain-specific socio-ecological factors. A recently published large-scale study of short-term memory abilities in 41 primate species (ManyPrimates 2022 Anim. Behav. Cogn. 9, 428–516. (doi:10.26451/abc.09.04.06.2022)) did not find any correlations with 11 different proxies of external cognitive demands. Here, we found that the interspecific variation in test performance shows correlated evolution with total brain size, with the relationship becoming tighter as species with small sample sizes were successively removed, whereas it was not predicted by the often-used encephalization quotient. In a subsample, we also found that the sizes of brain regions thought to be involved in short-term memory did not predict performance better than overall brain size. The dependence on brain size suggests that domain-general cognitive processes underlie short-term memory as tested by ManyPrimates. These results support the emerging notion that comparative studies of brain size do not generally identify domain-specific cognitive adaptations but rather reveal varying selections on domain-general cognitive abilities. Finally, because attentional processes beyond short-term memory also affect test performance, we suggest that the delayed response test can be refined.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20545703
Volume :
11
Issue :
5
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Royal Society Open Science
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.4f86b65cb30243d6a00b2b8082c92c90
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.231541