The theory of Machiavellian intelligence
Also known as the social brain hypothesis, the theory of Machiavellian intelligence explains why such a rapid evolution of the human brain has occurred in homo sapiens. This organ began to grow and develop about 400,000 years ago and has stabilized "only" 50,000. How can this phenomenon be explained?
Francis de Wall coined the concept of "Machiavellian intelligence" in 1982. During these years, numerous investigations were conducted regarding the social and political behavior of primates. But it was not until 1988 when this theory was developed as we know it today. It was led by psychologists Richard W. Byrne and Andrew Whiten, researchers at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
These authors published their discoveries in Machiavellian Intelligence: social experience and evolution of the intellect in monkeys, apes and humans. This supposed the birth of the theory of Machiavellian intelligence. But what does this theory propose?
The brain, a consumer of the first
The weight of the brain is 2% in relation to the total body. However, the energy expenditure it represents is 20%. Its consumption of glucose, the main fuel that feeds, is one quarter of the total body. Therefore, from this perspective, it can be said that thinking is expensive. And more when some say that we can only justify 10% of that energy consumption. The other 90% would still be a mystery ...
However, the brain has evolved at a much faster level than other mammals. In "only" 25 million years there have been multiple mutations in the genome. Special attention deserves the neocortex, the most developed part of the human brain. So, we must ask ourselves, why has it become such an extremely complex organ?
Cognitive and social complexity
There are many theories that have tried to explain the passage from a simpler mind to a much more complex one. Of all of them, the theory of Machiavellian intelligence is still one of the most important.
This hypothesis considers that this brain development is due to the increase of the cognitive demands of the environment, fruit in turn of life in society. It is this intense competition with the group, the growing number of social interactions, coexistence and interpersonal complexity, the triggers and drivers of this evolutionary pressure.
Therefore, according to these authors and with the support of numerous neuroanatomical evidences, this would have repercussions on the development of general intelligence.
Required strategies
For the defenders of this idea, the growing and new social problems demand the adoption and improvement of our strategies in order to improve our adaptation to such a dynamic environment as the one around us. In fact, neurophysiology has provided evidence that these tricks are mostly related to anticipating the future and making decisions.
Hence, the mastery of arts such as dissimulation, deception, lying or manipulation in post to achieve social success is trained. Therefore, these resources are called "Machiavellian", since they involve all kinds of behavior (and not necessarily ethical). This is where you can see the association between a person considered Machiavellian (personality characterized by sociopathy) and the theory explained.
For the theory of Machiavellian intelligence, both deceit and auxiliary are considered socially intelligent behaviors
Thus, the development of the brain - the fruit of social evolution - makes it possible for us to be able to manage our emotions and recognize those of others. It also makes it easier for us to identify social structures, bond with other people and know the role they play in each situation. It also allows us to locate their actions facilitating the understanding of the attitudes and intentions of others.
Natural selection
To explain this theory, we can not ignore the principle of natural selection developed by Charles Darwin. The convergence between both postulates is that the individuals who were able to develop successful social and reproductive strategies are those who have been promoted. In other words, broadly speaking, people with more skills for life in society were more likely to survive.
Little has to do with the theory of Machiavellian intelligence with another that enjoys great weight, but that justifies brain development with a practical reason. Thus, he considers that the increase in the volume of this organ is due to the need to face new problems: use of utensils, shelter or search for food.
This theory of Machiavellian intelligence is, therefore, crucial to understanding the relationship that exists between brain evolution and the level of social development of species. Because, in the end, he maintains that intelligence is linked to a set of capacities that allow man to constantly adapt to new situations, in which his social dimension predominates. Thanks, evolution! Thank you, cerebral plasticity!
