Evolution of Hemispheric Specialization in Primates (eBook)

Front cover 1
The Evolution of Hemispheric Specialization in Primates 6
Copyright page 7
Contents 8
Contributors 10
Preface 12
Chapter 1. Cerebral Asymmetry and Human Uniqueness 16
Introduction 16
The Argument for Continuity 17
The Argument for Discontinuity 19
The Case of Language 20
Individual Differences and the Genetics of Asymmetry 22
Could Language Itself be the Result of a Single Mutation? 25
Conclusions 28
References 29
Chapter 2. Lateralization in its Many Forms, and its Evolution and Development 38
Lateralization in Vertebrates 38
Ontogeny of Lateralized Functions 43
Advantage of Being Lateralized 48
Lateralization in Invertebrates 51
Hand Preferences Versus Brain Lateralization 52
Association Between Hand Preference and Expressed Behavior 55
Strength of Hand Preference 57
Why Does Directional Lateralization Exist? 59
Conclusion 61
References 62
Chapter 3. Present Status of the Postural Origins Theory 74
Introduction 74
The 1987 Review: Data and Theory - Summary of Findings 76
Postural Considerations 76
Prosimians: A Left Hand–Right Hemisphere Prehension Specialization? 77
Monkeys: A Right Side–Left Hemisphere Operational Specialization? 78
Great Apes 80
Primate Handedness Since 1987 80
Prosimians: Verification of the Left-Hand Preference 80
Left-Hand Prehension in Monkeys 81
A Left-Hand Ballistic Specialization in Monkeys? 82
Right-Hand Preferences in Capuchin (Cebus) Monkeys 82
Postural Influences on Hand Preference 83
Bimanual Coordination 84
Right-Hand Preferences for Throwing and Gesturing 85
Handedness in Captivity and in the Wild 86
Summary 88
The Question of Non-Significant Findings 88
Handedness Results Problematical to the Theory 88
Continuity in the Left-Hemisphere Specialization 89
Extension of the Postural Origins Theory: Vertebrate Hemispheric Specializations 90
A Left-Hemisphere Routine-Action Specialization 90
A Left-Hemisphere Vocal-Communication Specialization 91
A Postural Link with the Left-Hemisphere Speech Specialization? Evidence from Humans 92
A Right-Hemisphere Affective Specialization? 92
A Human Attentional Dichotomy 94
A Human Residue of the Left-Hand Action Specialization? 94
The Right-Hemisphere Spatial Specialization 95
The Global and Local Specializations 95
Human Handedness/Language as a Saltation 96
Conclusion 96
Acknowledgments 97
References 97
Chapter 4. Microstructural Asymmetries of the Cerebral Cortex in Humans and Other Mammals 108
Introduction 108
Discussion 119
Acknowledgments 124
References 124
Chapter 5. Functional and Structural Asymmetries for Auditory Perception and Vocal Production in Nonhuman Primates 136
Introduction 136
Auditory Perception 138
Vocal Production 146
Anatomical Asymmetries 147
Asymmetries and Communicative Significance 150
Future Directions 152
References 153
Chapter 6. Handedness and Neuroanatomical Asymmetries in Captive Chimpanzees: A Summary of 15 Years of Research 162
General Methods 164
Measures of Hand Preference 165
Performance Measures of Hand Skill 170
Characterizing Hand Preference 171
Results 171
Conclusion 187
Acknowledgment 190
References 190
Chapter 7. Perceptual and Motor Lateralization in Two Species of Baboons 198
Introduction 198
Handedness Studies in Baboons Living in Social Groups 199
Natural Spontaneous Hand Use 200
Task Effects on Handedness 200
Study of Group-Level Handedness in Large Samples 203
Hand use in Gestural Communication 204
Laboratory Studies on the Lateralization of Visual Information 205
Conclusion 210
Acknowledgments 212
References 212
Chapter 8. Factors Affecting Manual Laterality in Tufted Capuchins (Cebus Apella) 220
Introduction 220
Manual Laterality by Capuchins for Different Tasks 223
Conclusion 235
Acknowledgment 237
References 237
Chapter 9. Prosimian Primates as Models of Laterality 244
Why Study Prosimians? 245
Why Study Behavioral Laterality? 246
The Role of Posture 247
The Role of Central Nervous System Arousal 250
Role of Age and Sex 251
Role of the Mouth 253
Other Expressions of Lateralized Behavior 255
Conclusion 258
References 261
Chapter 10. The Biological Correlates of Hand Preference in Rhesus Macaques 268
Introduction 268
Plasma Cortisol and Handedness in Infant Monkeys 272
Plasma Cortisol in Adult Male Rhesus Monkeys 274
Plasma Cortisol in Adult Female Rhesus Monkeys 277
Hand Preference, Monoamine Metabolite Concentrations, and Behavioral Pathologies 278
Conclusion 280
Acknowledgments 284
References 284
Author Index 292
Subject Index 308