ARBOREAL CLAMBERING AND THE EVOLUTION OF SELF-CONCEPTION

A fundamentally new psychology related to the ability to conceive of l imited aspects of the self may have evolved in the ancestor of the gre at ape/human clade. Existing models of the evolution of primate intell igence do not provide an adequate explanation of the apparent restrict ion of this phenomenon. We propose that the capacity for self-concepti on evolved as a psychological mechanism enabling large-bodied, highly arboreal apes to cope with problems posed by the need to negotiate the ir way through a habitat that was fragile due to their body size. Firs t, we briefly outline the case for believing that a new psychology rel ated to self-conception evolved during the Miocene in the ancestor of the great ape/human clade. Next, we examine the existing models of the evolution of primate intelligence and assess their ability to account for the evolution of self-conception. Finally, we offer details of ou r alternative model, along with series of predictions that can be deri ved from it.