Revisiting The Cognitive Buffer Hypothesis For The Evolution Of Large Brains

When it comes to the brain, the popular view is that bigger is better. But why should a large brain facilitate the survival of animals in the wild?


A popular answer is that a large brain buffers individuals against environmental challenges by facilitating the construction of behavioural responses, a theory known as the cognitive buffer hypothesis. New or altered behaviours can for instance facilitate the use of novel foods when the traditional ones are scarce or help develop strategies to deal with unfamiliar predators.


Now studies in birds and mammals show that large-brained species are more capable of producing these new or modified behaviours, and that this capacity does buffer them against novel environmental challenges, supporting the importance of the cognitive buffer in the evolution of large brains.


Royal Society Journal Biology Letters


Biology Letters publishes short, innovative and cutting-edge research articles and opinion pieces accessible to scientists from across the biological sciences. The journal is characterised by stringent peer-review, rapid publication and broad dissemination of succinct high-quality research communications.


Biology Letters