Human Uniqueness: How Our Brains Set Us Apart in the Animal Kingdom

What truly sets humans apart from other animals? In this episode, we'll explore the human brain and the unique characteristics that define our species. From our extraordinary language abilities and unmatched cognitive control to our intricate social networks and emotional experiences, we'll uncover the neurological basis for these traits and discuss their profound implications on human culture and civilization. Join us on this intellectual adventure as we examine the anatomy of the human brain, comparing it to the brains of other primates and shedding light on the evolution of our exceptional mental capacities. We'll cover fascinating topics such as language, long-term planning, interoception, and theory of mind (ToM). By exploring these areas, we'll paint a picture of what it means to be human from a neurological perspective. --  Please support this channel by signing up for Sense of Mind's Patreon for bonus content every month: www.patreon.com/senseofmind   You'll get:   - Access to exclusive monthly livestreams  - Written (blog post) versions of all new videos, including this one!   -- Don't forget to subscribe to this channel:  @senseofmindshow    And check out the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sense-of-mind/id1603691298 Patreon link: www.patreon.com/senseofmind   Follow Sense of Mind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sense.ofmind/-- -- Sources: DeCasien, A. R., Barton, R. A., & Higham, J. P. (2022). Understanding the human brain: insights from comparative biology. Trends in Cognitive Sciences. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364661322000390  Fellows, L. K. (2019). The functions of the frontal lobes: evidence from patients with focal brain damage. Handbook of clinical neurology, 163, 19-34. Schneider, L., Dominguez-Vargas, A. U., Gibson, L., Kagan, I., & Wilke, M. (2020). Eye position signals in the dorsal pulvinar during fixation and goal-directed saccades. Journal of Neurophysiology, 123(1), 367-391. Pinker, S. (2003). The language instinct: How the mind creates language. Penguin UK. De Waal, F. (2016). Are we smart enough to know how smart animals are?. WW Norton & Company. Pp. 105. Darwin, C. (1888). The descent of man, and selection in relation to sex (Vol. 1). Murray. Craig, Arthur Dewitt. "Interoception and emotion: a neuroanatomical perspective." Handbook of emotions 4th ed. (2016). On Task: How Our Brain Gets Things Done, By David Badre, 2020, Princeton University Press, ISBN: 9780691175553 Menon, V., & D’Esposito, M. (2022). The role of PFC networks in cognitive control and executive function. Neuropsychopharmacology, 47(1), 90-103. Eisenberger, N. I. (2016). Social pain and social pleasure: Two overlooked but fundamental mammalian emotions. Handbook of emotions, 4, 440-452. Guthrie, T. D., Benadjaoud, Y. Y., & Chavez, R. S. (2022). Social relationship strength modulates the similarity of brain-to-brain representations of group members. Cerebral Cortex, 32(11), 2469-2477. Jelbert, S. A., Taylor, A. H., Cheke, L. G., Clayton, N. S., & Gray, R. D. (2014). Using the Aesop's fable paradigm to investigate causal understanding of water displacement by New Caledonian crows. PloS one, 9(3), e92895.  Music: Intro music: R&B Instrumental by Glitch | https://soundcloud.com/glitch  Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US  Outro music: Over by LiQWYD | https://www.liqwydmusic.com  Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/senseofmind/support