(no subject)
THIS JUST IN
Apparently, chimpanzees lack schadenfreude. I'm sure this comes as a grave disappointment to Mel Brooks.
I have full-text access to PNAS here, so I'll try to get the actual article when it's published online (probably tomorrow) and check out their methods.
It should be noted that humans aren't born with a lot of uniquely-human traits; we have to develop them. In fact, several tests of cognitive ability that several different mammilian species can perform - such as the Mirror Test of self-recognition - aren't developed for many months or even years as a child's brain develops from the white matter goop that comes out at birth. That is, I think, really remarkable, and we can benefit from comparative understanding of when humans develop uniquely human cognitive traits - such as the gaining of pleasure from the discomfort of another, however morbid that may be - in terms of development versus other mammals with relatively developed cognitive processes.
At least that's sort of what I hope to make a career out of 10-20 years from now when the developmental cognitive neuroscience field has solidified a bit more. In the mean time, trying to cure neurodegenerative diseases ain't such a bad gig.
Apparently, chimpanzees lack schadenfreude. I'm sure this comes as a grave disappointment to Mel Brooks.
I have full-text access to PNAS here, so I'll try to get the actual article when it's published online (probably tomorrow) and check out their methods.
It should be noted that humans aren't born with a lot of uniquely-human traits; we have to develop them. In fact, several tests of cognitive ability that several different mammilian species can perform - such as the Mirror Test of self-recognition - aren't developed for many months or even years as a child's brain develops from the white matter goop that comes out at birth. That is, I think, really remarkable, and we can benefit from comparative understanding of when humans develop uniquely human cognitive traits - such as the gaining of pleasure from the discomfort of another, however morbid that may be - in terms of development versus other mammals with relatively developed cognitive processes.
At least that's sort of what I hope to make a career out of 10-20 years from now when the developmental cognitive neuroscience field has solidified a bit more. In the mean time, trying to cure neurodegenerative diseases ain't such a bad gig.