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Comment
. 2017 Jan:40:e198.
doi: 10.1017/S0140525X16001588.

Negative results are needed to show the specific value of a cultural explanation for g

Ruben C Arslan  1 , Christoph J von Borell  1 , Julia Ostner  2 , Lars Penke  1
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Comment

Negative results are needed to show the specific value of a cultural explanation for g

Ruben C Arslan et al. Behav Brain Sci. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

Burkart et al. suggest that social learning can explain the cognitive positive manifold for social animals, including humans. We caution that simpler explanations of positive trait intercorrelations exist, such as genetic load. To test the suggested explanation's specificity, we also need to examine non-social species and traits, such as health, that are distal to cognitive abilities.

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  • The evolution of general intelligence.
    Burkart JM, Schubiger MN, van Schaik CP. Burkart JM, et al. Behav Brain Sci. 2017 Jan;40:e195. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X16000959. Epub 2016 Jul 28. Behav Brain Sci. 2017. PMID: 27464851

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