How do psychologists define
humanness?
HSP3M
Ms. Gluskin
Review of how anthropologists
define humanness (so far)
• From australopithecus afarensis to homo
habilis and homo ergaster, how have we
seen our ancestors “becoming human”?
– Physically
– Behaviourally
Thinking like a pig?
• Watch a quick excerpt from “the three little
pigs”
– Jot down the characteristics that make the
pigs human-like.
What makes us eat?
Animals
Humans
First way psychologists define
humanness
• Humans have complex motivations for
their behaviour
– Motivation = something (a need or a desire)
that causes a person to engage in a
behaviour
Each individual has
motivation
Animal instincts
• Animals’ behaviour may be driven largely
by instinct
– Instinct = natural or inherited impulse
The lion does not say to himself, “hmm, I
think I will go out and kill someone today.”
Puzzles
• Have you ever tried to solve a puzzle?
–
–
–
–
Crossword
Sudoku
IQ test
Try the two problems on the bottom of page 50 in the
textbook
• How did you go about trying to solve the
problem? What process did you use? What went
through your mind?
Second way psychologists define
humanness
• Humans have the ability to reason at a
high level
– See page 48 in text
• Focus on cerebral cortex
– See “Problem Solving” handout
Third way psychologists define
humanness
•
For homework, read “Polly Wanna
Ph.D?” and answer these questions:
1. What can Alex do that is special?
2. What safeguards has Pepperberg put into
her experiments to make sure Alex isn’t
responding to cues or being generously
interpreted by humans?
3. Is intelligence needed for communication?