Research: Cognitive ability - Revision history

Thorn: /* Adaptive immaturity */

2026-05-06T15:55:42Z

Adaptive immaturity

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:55, 6 May 2026
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	*'''Bufill, E., Agustí, J., & Blesa, R. (2011). [https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.21225 Human neoteny revisited: The case of synaptic plasticity.] ''American Journal of Human Biology'', 23(6), 729–739. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.21225'''		*'''Bufill, E., Agustí, J., & Blesa, R. (2011). [https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.21225 Human neoteny revisited: The case of synaptic plasticity.] ''American Journal of Human Biology'', 23(6), 729–739. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.21225'''
	::"In Homo sapiens, brain development is retarded compared with other primates, especially in some association areas. These areas are characterized by the presence of neurons, which remain structurally immature throughout their lifespans and show an increase in the expression of the genes, which deal with metabolism and the activity and synaptic plasticity in adulthood. The retention of juvenile features in some adult neurons in our species has occurred in areas, which are related to episodic memory, planning, and social navigation. [...] which suggests that a neuronal neoteny has occurred in H. sapiens, which allows the human brain to function, to a certain degree, like a juvenile brain during adult life. "		::"In Homo sapiens, brain development is retarded compared with other primates, especially in some association areas. These areas are characterized by the presence of neurons, which remain structurally immature throughout their lifespans and show an increase in the expression of the genes, which deal with metabolism and the activity and synaptic plasticity in adulthood. The retention of juvenile features in some adult neurons in our species has occurred in areas, which are related to episodic memory, planning, and social navigation. [...] which suggests that a neuronal neoteny has occurred in H. sapiens, which allows the human brain to function, to a certain degree, like a juvenile brain during adult life."

			*'''Somel, M., et al. (2009). [https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0900544106 Transcriptional neoteny in the human brain]. ''Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences'', 106(14), 5743–5748. doi:10.1073/pnas.0900544106'''
			::"In human evolution, developmental retardation, or neoteny, has been proposed as a possible mechanism that contributed to the rise of many human-specific features, including an increase in brain size and the emergence of human-specific cognitive traits. We analyzed mRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex of humans, chimpanzees, and rhesus macaques to determine whether human-specific neotenic changes are present at the gene expression level. We show that the brain transcriptome is dramatically remodeled during postnatal development and that developmental changes in the human brain are indeed delayed relative to other primates."

	==Excerpt Graphic Library==		==Excerpt Graphic Library==

Thorn: /* Adaptive immaturity */

2026-05-06T13:57:46Z

Adaptive immaturity

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	::“Some aspects of childhood are not specific preparations for adulthood. Rather, they are designed by evolution to adapt the child to its current environment but not necessarily to a future one.”		::“Some aspects of childhood are not specific preparations for adulthood. Rather, they are designed by evolution to adapt the child to its current environment but not necessarily to a future one.”
	::"Several theorists have written of behavioral neoteny as the extended juvenile character of human behavior (Cairns, 1976; Lorenz, 1971; Mason, 1968a, 1968b). Cairns (1976) and Mason (1968a) have postulated, for example, that important aspects of human social behavior such as attachment are influenced by behavioral neoteny (see also Cairns, Gariepy, & Hood, 1990; and Montagu, 1989), and, according to Lorenz, such juvenile characteristics as curiosity are responsible for human’s behavioral flexibility.”		::"Several theorists have written of behavioral neoteny as the extended juvenile character of human behavior (Cairns, 1976; Lorenz, 1971; Mason, 1968a, 1968b). Cairns (1976) and Mason (1968a) have postulated, for example, that important aspects of human social behavior such as attachment are influenced by behavioral neoteny (see also Cairns, Gariepy, & Hood, 1990; and Montagu, 1989), and, according to Lorenz, such juvenile characteristics as curiosity are responsible for human’s behavioral flexibility.”

			*'''Bufill, E., Agustí, J., & Blesa, R. (2011). [https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.21225 Human neoteny revisited: The case of synaptic plasticity.] ''American Journal of Human Biology'', 23(6), 729–739. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.21225'''
			::"In Homo sapiens, brain development is retarded compared with other primates, especially in some association areas. These areas are characterized by the presence of neurons, which remain structurally immature throughout their lifespans and show an increase in the expression of the genes, which deal with metabolism and the activity and synaptic plasticity in adulthood. The retention of juvenile features in some adult neurons in our species has occurred in areas, which are related to episodic memory, planning, and social navigation. [...] which suggests that a neuronal neoteny has occurred in H. sapiens, which allows the human brain to function, to a certain degree, like a juvenile brain during adult life. "

	==Excerpt Graphic Library==		==Excerpt Graphic Library==

Thorn: /* Adaptive immaturity */

2026-05-05T19:22:17Z

Adaptive immaturity

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:22, 5 May 2026
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	* '''Bjorklund, D. F. (1997). [https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1997-05606-003?doi=1 The role of immaturity in human development]. ''Psychological Bulletin'', 122(2), 153–169. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.122.2.153'''		* '''Bjorklund, D. F. (1997). [https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1997-05606-003?doi=1 The role of immaturity in human development]. ''Psychological Bulletin'', 122(2), 153–169. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.122.2.153'''

	::“Some aspects of childhood are not specific preparations for adulthood. Rather, they are designed by evolution to adapt the child to its current environment but not necessarily to a future one.”		::“Some aspects of childhood are not specific preparations for adulthood. Rather, they are designed by evolution to adapt the child to its current environment but not necessarily to a future one.”
	::"Several theorists have written of behavioral neoteny as the extended juvenile character of human behavior (Cairns, 1976; Lorenz, 1971; Mason, 1968a, 1968b). Cairns (1976) and Mason (1968a) have postulated, for example, that important aspects of human social behavior such as attachment are influenced by behavioral neoteny (see also Cairns, Gariepy, & Hood, 1990; and Montagu, 1989), and, according to Lorenz, such juvenile characteristics as curiosity are responsible for human’s behavioral flexibility.”		::"Several theorists have written of behavioral neoteny as the extended juvenile character of human behavior (Cairns, 1976; Lorenz, 1971; Mason, 1968a, 1968b). Cairns (1976) and Mason (1968a) have postulated, for example, that important aspects of human social behavior such as attachment are influenced by behavioral neoteny (see also Cairns, Gariepy, & Hood, 1990; and Montagu, 1989), and, according to Lorenz, such juvenile characteristics as curiosity are responsible for human’s behavioral flexibility.”

Thorn: /* Adaptive immaturity */

2026-05-05T18:56:39Z

Adaptive immaturity

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:56, 5 May 2026
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	== Adaptive immaturity ==		== Adaptive immaturity ==
	While common belief about brain maturation is that juveniles are just undeveloped adults, there is a counterpoint that, in the course of human evolution, many typically 'juvenile' cognitive traits have become more adaptive than 'adult' ones. So, in some contexts, maturation can be seen as a ~~kind of retardation~~. Here is a concept of adaptive cognitive neoteny in literature.		While common belief about brain maturation is that juveniles are just undeveloped adults, there is a counterpoint that, in the course of human evolution, many typically 'juvenile' cognitive traits have become more adaptive than 'adult' ones. So, in some contexts, maturation can be seen as a disadvantage. Here is a concept of adaptive cognitive neoteny in literature.

	* '''Bjorklund, D. F. (1997). The role of immaturity in human development. ''Psychological Bulletin'', 122(2), 153–169. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.122.2.153'''		* '''Bjorklund, D. F. (1997). [https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1997-05606-003?doi=1 The role of immaturity in human development]. ''Psychological Bulletin'', 122(2), 153–169. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.122.2.153'''

	::“Some aspects of childhood are not specific preparations for adulthood. Rather, they are designed by evolution to adapt the child to its current environment but not necessarily to a future one.”		::“Some aspects of childhood are not specific preparations for adulthood. Rather, they are designed by evolution to adapt the child to its current environment but not necessarily to a future one.”

Thorn: /* Adaptive immaturity */

2026-05-05T18:53:39Z

Adaptive immaturity

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:53, 5 May 2026
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	::“Some aspects of childhood are not specific preparations for adulthood. Rather, they are designed by evolution to adapt the child to its current environment but not necessarily to a future one.”		::“Some aspects of childhood are not specific preparations for adulthood. Rather, they are designed by evolution to adapt the child to its current environment but not necessarily to a future one.”
	::Several theorists have written of behavioral neoteny as the extended juvenile character of human behavior (Cairns, 1976; Lorenz, 1971; Mason, 1968a, 1968b). Cairns (1976) and Mason (1968a) have postulated, for example, that important aspects of human social behavior such as attachment are influenced by behavioral neoteny (see also Cairns, Gariepy, & Hood, 1990; and Montagu, 1989), and, according to Lorenz, such juvenile characteristics as curiosity are responsible for human’s behavioral flexibility. ”		::"Several theorists have written of behavioral neoteny as the extended juvenile character of human behavior (Cairns, 1976; Lorenz, 1971; Mason, 1968a, 1968b). Cairns (1976) and Mason (1968a) have postulated, for example, that important aspects of human social behavior such as attachment are influenced by behavioral neoteny (see also Cairns, Gariepy, & Hood, 1990; and Montagu, 1989), and, according to Lorenz, such juvenile characteristics as curiosity are responsible for human’s behavioral flexibility.”


	::

	==Excerpt Graphic Library==		==Excerpt Graphic Library==

Thorn: /* Moral reasoning */

2026-05-05T18:52:56Z

Moral reasoning

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 *'''Del Giudice M. (2014) [https://iris.unito.it/retrieve/handle/2318/1853338/974935/DelGiudice_2018_middle-childhood_chapter_pre.pdf Middle childhood: an evolutionary-developmental synthesis.]; 8:193–200. doi:10.1111/cdep.12084. in: Halfon N, Forrest CB, Lerner RM, et al., editors. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK543707/ Handbook of Life Course Health Development]. ''Cham (CH): Springer''; 2018. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-47143-3'''
 *:"Parallel improvements take place in mentalizing (the ability to understand and represent mental states) and moral reasoning, as children become able to consider multiple perspectives and conflicting goals (Jambon & Smetana, 2014; Lagattuta, Sayfan, & Blattman, 2009)."
 ==Excerpt Graphic Library==

Xtjvimds16dovrfc: /* Competence */

2026-03-03T10:46:21Z

Competence

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:46, 3 March 2026
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	==Competence==		==Competence==

	It's widely believed that minors differ fundamentally in their cognitive and decision-making abilities from adults. In addition legal definitions are often conflated with ~~real~~ capacities of ~~people~~, leading to belief in a clear boundary between competent and incompetent ages. Many studies ~~refuse~~ this view, supporting the concept of [[Evolving capacity\|evolving capacity]].		It's widely believed that minors differ fundamentally in their cognitive and decision-making abilities from adults. In addition, legal definitions are often conflated with the actual capacities of individuals, leading to a belief in a clear boundary between competent and incompetent ages. Many studies refute this view, supporting the concept of [[Evolving capacity\|evolving capacity]].

	*'''Kidd, C (2025) in ''The Conversation''. [https://theconversation.com/children-can-be-systematic-problem-solvers-at-younger-ages-than-psychologists-had-thought-new-research-266438 Children can be systematic problem-solvers at younger ages than psychologists had thought – new research]'''		*'''Kidd, C (2025) in ''The Conversation''. [https://theconversation.com/children-can-be-systematic-problem-solvers-at-younger-ages-than-psychologists-had-thought-new-research-266438 Children can be systematic problem-solvers at younger ages than psychologists had thought – new research]'''

Xtjvimds16dovrfc: /* Competence */

2026-03-03T10:21:17Z

Competence

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:21, 3 March 2026
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	==Competence==		==Competence==

	it's widely believed that minors differ fundamentally in their cognitive and decision-making abilities from adults. In addition legal definitions are often conflated with real capacities of people, leading to belief in a clear boundary between competent and incompetent ages. Many studies refuse this view, supporting the concept of [[Evolving capacity\|evolving capacity]].		It's widely believed that minors differ fundamentally in their cognitive and decision-making abilities from adults. In addition legal definitions are often conflated with real capacities of people, leading to belief in a clear boundary between competent and incompetent ages. Many studies refuse this view, supporting the concept of [[Evolving capacity\|evolving capacity]].

	*'''Kidd, C (2025) in ''The Conversation''. [https://theconversation.com/children-can-be-systematic-problem-solvers-at-younger-ages-than-psychologists-had-thought-new-research-266438 Children can be systematic problem-solvers at younger ages than psychologists had thought – new research]'''		*'''Kidd, C (2025) in ''The Conversation''. [https://theconversation.com/children-can-be-systematic-problem-solvers-at-younger-ages-than-psychologists-had-thought-new-research-266438 Children can be systematic problem-solvers at younger ages than psychologists had thought – new research]'''

Thorn: /* Basic Physiology/brain volumes */

2025-12-25T10:02:32Z

Basic Physiology/brain volumes

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:02, 25 December 2025
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	*:Del Giudice has age 6-8 as the peak for gray matter (see tables). This paper also goes into detail about development in middle-childhood, most importantly the onsent of '''adrenarche'''<ref>Gilbert Herdt and Martha McClintock, Ph.D, [https://www.ipce.info/sites/ipce.info/files/biblio_attachments/herdt_-_the_magical_age_of_10_2000.pdf ''The Magical Age of 10''], in ''Archives of Sexual Behavior'', Vol. 29, No. 6, 2000. </ref> between 6-8 years of age, giving rise to sexual differentiation in behavior - including sexual curiosity and attraction. It could be argued that as a developmental milestone, this age is as important, if not more so than the start of puberty, as determined by thelarche or gonardarche.		*:Del Giudice has age 6-8 as the peak for gray matter (see tables). This paper also goes into detail about development in middle-childhood, most importantly the onsent of '''adrenarche'''<ref>Gilbert Herdt and Martha McClintock, Ph.D, [https://www.ipce.info/sites/ipce.info/files/biblio_attachments/herdt_-_the_magical_age_of_10_2000.pdf ''The Magical Age of 10''], in ''Archives of Sexual Behavior'', Vol. 29, No. 6, 2000. </ref> between 6-8 years of age, giving rise to sexual differentiation in behavior - including sexual curiosity and attraction. It could be argued that as a developmental milestone, this age is as important, if not more so than the start of puberty, as determined by thelarche or gonardarche.
	*:"By age 6, the brain has almost reached its maximum size and receives a decreasing share of the body’s glucose after the consumption peak of early childhood (see Figure 1; Giedd & Rapoport, 2010; Kuzawa et al., in press). However, brain development proceeds at a sustained pace, with intensive synaptogenesis in cortical areas (gray matter) and rapid maturation of axonal connections (white matter; Lebel, Walker, Leemans, Phillips, & Beaulieu, 2008). [...] The most dramatic changes probably occur in the domain of self-regulation and executive functions: Children become much more capable of inhibiting unwanted behavior, maintaining sustained attention, making and following plans, and so forth (Best, Miller, & Jones, 2009; Weisner, 1996)."		*:"By age 6, the brain has almost reached its maximum size and receives a decreasing share of the body’s glucose after the consumption peak of early childhood (see Figure 1; Giedd & Rapoport, 2010; Kuzawa et al., in press). However, brain development proceeds at a sustained pace, with intensive synaptogenesis in cortical areas (gray matter) and rapid maturation of axonal connections (white matter; Lebel, Walker, Leemans, Phillips, & Beaulieu, 2008). [...] The most dramatic changes probably occur in the domain of self-regulation and executive functions: Children become much more capable of inhibiting unwanted behavior, maintaining sustained attention, making and following plans, and so forth (Best, Miller, & Jones, 2009; Weisner, 1996)."

			*'''Mousley, A., Bethlehem, R. A. I., Yeh, F. C., & Astle, D. E. (2025). [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12647875/ Topological turning points across the human lifespan.] ''Nature communications'', 16(1), 10055. doi:10.1038/s41467-025-65974-8'''
			::"[W]e identified four major topological turning points across the lifespan – around nine, 32, 66, and 83 years old."
			::“The second lifespan epoch, ages nine to 32, indicates that the trajectory of topological development remains consistent across this period. While adolescence begins with puberty, the end of adolescence is less clear, with older definitions ending before 20 and more recent definitions extending into the mid-20s. The transition to adulthood is influenced by cultural, historical, and social factors, making it context-dependent rather than a purely biological shift. Our findings suggest that in Western countries (i.e., the United Kingdom and United States of America), adolescent topological development extends to around 32 years old, before brain networks begin a new trajectory of topological development.”

	==Competence==		==Competence==

Jim Burton at 02:24, 26 November 2025

2025-11-26T02:24:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:24, 26 November 2025
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	The often-repeated ageist/ableist myth<ref>[https://slate.com/technology/2022/11/brain-development-25-year-old-mature-myth.html Slate: Updated take on the 25y/o brain myth]</ref> of brain development ending at the ages of 18 or 25 started circulating in the late 00s and early 10s,<ref>[https://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug04/brain Brain research advances help elucidate teen behavior]</ref> but the samples were never followed up beyond the age of 25.<ref>[https://www.iflscience.com/does-the-brain-really-mature-at-the-age-of-25-68979 Does The Brain Really Mature At The Age Of 25?]</ref> Historically, similar arguments have been made against Women<ref>[https://sci-hub.se/10.1016/s0079-6123(08)64447-7 Sexual Differentiation of the Human Brain A Historical Perspective]</ref><ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-history-of-female-brain-studies-reveal-a-lot-11584895362 The History of Female Brain Studies Reveal a Lot - WSJ]</ref><ref>[https://theconversation.com/the-female-brain-why-damaging-myths-about-women-and-science-keep-coming-back-in-new-forms-129310 The ‘female’ brain: why damaging myths about women and science keep coming back in new forms]</ref> (the gender differences while moderate, probably ''exceed'' any teen-adult variations<ref>[https://sci-hub.se/10.1016/j.neuron.2011.12.001 The Trouble with Sex Differences]</ref><ref>[https://sci-hub.se/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.02.026 Dump the “dimorphism”: Comprehensive synthesis of human brain studies reveals few male-female differences beyond size]</ref>) and Black people.<ref>[https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/49594/1000050402_ftp.pdf SOME RACIAL PECULIARITIES OF THE NEGRO BRAIN]</ref><ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10143281/ Goldstein HW, Yusko KP, Scherbaum CA, Larson EC. Reducing Black-White Racial Differences on Intelligence Tests Used in Hiring for Public Safety Jobs. J Intell. 2023 Mar 28;11(4):62. doi: 10.3390/jintelligence11040062. PMID: 37103247; PMCID: PMC10143281.]</ref> Such alleged "racial peculiarities" are ignored by modern-day authoritarians, who prefer to ideologically mobilize "brain science" in a more selective manner.		The often-repeated ageist/ableist myth<ref>[https://slate.com/technology/2022/11/brain-development-25-year-old-mature-myth.html Slate: Updated take on the 25y/o brain myth]</ref> of brain development ending at the ages of 18 or 25 started circulating in the late 00s and early 10s,<ref>[https://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug04/brain Brain research advances help elucidate teen behavior]</ref> but the samples were never followed up beyond the age of 25.<ref>[https://www.iflscience.com/does-the-brain-really-mature-at-the-age-of-25-68979 Does The Brain Really Mature At The Age Of 25?]</ref> Historically, similar arguments have been made against Women<ref>[https://sci-hub.se/10.1016/s0079-6123(08)64447-7 Sexual Differentiation of the Human Brain A Historical Perspective]</ref><ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-history-of-female-brain-studies-reveal-a-lot-11584895362 The History of Female Brain Studies Reveal a Lot - WSJ]</ref><ref>[https://theconversation.com/the-female-brain-why-damaging-myths-about-women-and-science-keep-coming-back-in-new-forms-129310 The ‘female’ brain: why damaging myths about women and science keep coming back in new forms]</ref> (the gender differences while moderate, probably ''exceed'' any teen-adult variations<ref>[https://sci-hub.se/10.1016/j.neuron.2011.12.001 The Trouble with Sex Differences]</ref><ref>[https://sci-hub.se/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.02.026 Dump the “dimorphism”: Comprehensive synthesis of human brain studies reveals few male-female differences beyond size]</ref>) and Black people.<ref>[https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/49594/1000050402_ftp.pdf SOME RACIAL PECULIARITIES OF THE NEGRO BRAIN]</ref><ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10143281/ Goldstein HW, Yusko KP, Scherbaum CA, Larson EC. Reducing Black-White Racial Differences on Intelligence Tests Used in Hiring for Public Safety Jobs. J Intell. 2023 Mar 28;11(4):62. doi: 10.3390/jintelligence11040062. PMID: 37103247; PMCID: PMC10143281.]</ref> Such alleged "racial peculiarities" are ignored by modern-day authoritarians, who prefer to ideologically mobilize "brain science" in a more selective manner.

	Further brain imaging investigations have put "adulthood" (when so defined) at least as late as the 30s,<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-47622059 BBC - People don't become 'adults' until their 30s, say scientists]</ref> ~~but ultimately~~ no set age for the end of brain "development" and beginning of "deterioration" has been established, as this is an impossible task. ~~Similarly, brain~~ ''~~plasticity~~'' in teenagers is ~~overstated~~. Plasticity is a troublesome argument for [[Ageism\|ageists]] to maintain, as they also hold that critical thinking (known to promote plasticity) is considerably degraded in teens.		Further brain imaging investigations have put "adulthood" (when so defined) at least as late as the 30s, with one study bizarrely concluding that the brain stays in the same "phase" between 9 and the early 30s.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-47622059 BBC - People don't become 'adults' until their 30s, say scientists], [https://www.aol.com/articles/adolescence-lasts-30s-study-shows-101116917.html Adolescence lasts until 30s]</ref> Ultimately, no set age for the end of brain "development" and beginning of "deterioration" has ever been established, as this is an impossible task and riddled with subjective factors. ''Neuroplasticity'' (and adaptive interpretation thereof) is a massive pitfall here, and in teenagers, it is generally over-claimed. Plasticity is also a troublesome argument for [[Ageism\|ageists]] to maintain, as they also hold that critical thinking (known to promote plasticity) is considerably degraded in teens.

	In summary, it can be said that the perceived incompetence of the modern minor is exaggerated and culture-bound, owing somewhat to the highly lucrative "[[Adolescence\|troubled teen]]" industry and the advocacy science surrounding it.		In summary, it can be said that the perceived incompetence of the modern minor is exaggerated and culture-bound, owing somewhat to the highly lucrative "[[Adolescence\|troubled teen]]" industry and the advocacy science surrounding it.