Dictionary of Human Evolution and Biology

Dictionary of Human Evolution and Biology

Cultural Capacity

Ambiguous term used in some texts in which the quality and/or size of the hominoid brain is implied to be a barrier to understanding, conceptualization, innovation, adaptation, etc.; phrases such as the cultural capacity of australopithecines and the cultural capacity of Neandertals suggest a limitation of abilities compared to AMHs.

See brain size.

Full-Text Search Entries

female cranial capacity (... ’s formula. Cf. male cranial capacity.)
male cranial capacity (... ’s formula. Cf. female cranial capacity.)
cultural evolutionism (Blanket term for all attempts to understand human cultural diversity as the result of a ...)
forced vital capacity (... maximum inspiration). Cf. vital capacity.)
learning capacity (Range and limitation of an animal’s ability to learn; this refers to what an animal can learn, ...)