Question

All primates, including humans, have a large brain relative to their body size. In addition, humans have a more highly developed forebrain and midbrain than nonhuman primates. In humans, what senses and/or skills are improved due to this further development? Check all that apply.

rational thinking

development of tools for hunting

memory

consciousness

language

sensory processing

complex survival and social skills

Answer 1

All of them. Briefly:

- Rational thinking — Yes. Expanded prefrontal cortex supports reasoning, planning and decision-making.
- Development of tools for hunting — Yes. Advanced motor planning, manipulation and problem-solving allow complex tool use and manufacture.
- Memory — Yes. Larger forebrain structures (hippocampus, cortex) support richer episodic and working memory.
- Consciousness — Yes. More developed cortex is associated with higher-order awareness and self-reflection.
- Language — Yes. Specialized cortical areas (e.g., Broca’s, Wernicke’s regions) enable complex spoken and symbolic language.
- Sensory processing — Yes. Enhanced cortical and midbrain processing refines interpretation of sensory input (not necessarily raw sensitivity).
- Complex survival and social skills — Yes. Forebrain expansion supports social cognition, cultural learning and sophisticated survival strategies.