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Animal Intelligence v Human Intelligence: A Brief Overview

Animal Intelligence and the Evolution of the Human Mind by Ursula Dicke and Gerhard Rocke; The Scientific American

You would think that because humans and animals share a lot of similarities that intelligence would one, but that is not the case. Humans are smarter by our own definition of intelligence. When looking at animal capabilities we often tend to believe we are superior because they cannot perform the same tasks as us. “ Nevertheless, researchers have found some microscopic clues to humanity's aptitude. We have more neurons in our brain's cerebral cortex (its outermost layer) than other mammals do.” The authors remind us that it is hard to compare animals and humans. Due to the lack of similar capabilities that animals and humans have, it is hard to test animals to compare their intelligence with ours. But animals express unique “intellectual capabilities” that make each species unique. Some other scientist like “behavioral ecologists” observe an animals’ “street smarts.” It helps them to get a grasp of the intelligence the animal possesses. Despite many differences, animals show some similarities to us. Believe it or not, animals like monkeys and dolphins, “display human-like social intelligence.” However, there are many things that pertain to human intellect alone, and things that pertain to animal intellect alone. The essence of the authors argument is that both animals and humans possess intelligence.

Dicke, Ursula, and Gerhard Rocke. "Animal Intelligence and the Evolution of the Human Mind." Scientific American Global RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 June 2014.