Machiavellian Intelligence

Social Expertise and the Evolution of Intellect in Monkeys, Apes, and Humans

By: Richard W. Byrne (Editor), Andrew Whiten (Editor)

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Paperback | 14 July 1988

At a Glance

Paperback
432 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
23.1 x 15.7 x 2.4

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This book presents an alternative to conventional ideas about the evolution of the human intellect. Instead of placing top priority on the role of tools, the pressure for their skillful use, and the related importance of interpersonal communication as a means for enhanced cooperation, this volume explores quite a different idea-- that the driving force in the evolution of human intellect was social expertise--a force which enabled the manipulation of others within the social group, who themselves are seen as posing the most challenging problems faced by primitive humans. The need to outwit one's clever colleagues then produces an evolutionary spiraling of "Machiavellian intelligence." The book forms a complete and self-contained text on this fast-growing topic. It includes the origins of the basic premise and a wealth of exciting developments, described by an international team of authors from the fields of anthropology, psychology, and zoology. An evaluation of more
traditional approaches is also undertaken, with a view to discovering to what extent Machiavellian intelligence represents a complementary concept or one that is truly an alternative. Readers and students will find this fascinating volume carries them to the frontiers of scientific work on the origin of human intellect.

Industry Reviews

'A highly cohesive book that will serve as an excellent introduction to social intelligence.' Nature 'By adding a few connecting chapters of their own in which they set out the issues clearly, they have created a highly cohesive book that will serve as an excellent introduction to social intelligence.'Nature February 1989 '.. an exceptionally important collection, of papers.' The Psychologist `.. this book will surely become a standard point of departure for future work.' THES `This book will be read and appreciated for two reasons. The first is that it raises or enhances our intellectual curiosity both about the evolution of social knowledge and about how social knowledge itself evolves. By so doing, the authors compel us to adjust our thinking about evolution and behaviour. The second is that it presents a novel and engaging format that teaches the reader.' Contemporary Psychology USA

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