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  • Title: Revisiting the cognitive buffer hypothesis for the evolution of large brains.
    Author: Sol D.
    Journal: Biol Lett; 2009 Feb 23; 5(1):130-3. PubMed ID: 19049952.
    Abstract:
    Why have some animals evolved large brains despite substantial energetic and developmental costs? A classic answer is that a large brain facilitates the construction of behavioural responses to unusual, novel or complex socioecological challenges. This buffer effect should increase survival rates and favour a longer reproductive life, thereby compensating for the costs of delayed reproduction. Although still limited, evidence in birds and mammals is accumulating that a large brain facilitates the construction of novel and altered behavioural patterns and that this ability helps dealing with new ecological challenges more successfully, supporting the cognitive-buffer interpretation of the evolution of large brains.
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