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Neocortical size and language

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Commentary onR. I. M.Ounbar (1993) Coevolution of neocortical size, group size and language in humans. BBS 16:681–735.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 February 2010

R. I. M. Dunbar
R. I. M. Dunbar
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, P.O. Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK. rimd@liverpool.ac.uk
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Abstract

In my target article, I argued (1) that the relationship between neocortical size and group size in primates implies that there is a cognitive limit on the size of human groups, and (2) that time constraints forced the evolution of language as a more efficient means of bonding the large groups that humans evolved. The doubts about these claims raised by these additional commentaries largely reflect misinterpretation of my original claims.

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Author's Response
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Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 18 , Issue 2 , June 1995 , pp. 388 - 389
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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