This month’s featured book that the faculty of the Center for Cognitive Archaeology want to highlight is Evolutionary Neuropsychology: An Introduction to the Evolution of the Structures and Functions of the Human Brain, by UCCS Professor Frederick L. Coolidge.
In Evolutionary Neuropsychology, Coolidge examines the evolutionary origins of the human brain. A new multidisciplinary science, evolutionary neuropsychology assumes that brain regions developed their functions in response to environmental challenges over billions of years. These regions and neuronal circuitry now serve newer functions (exaptations) and are now involved in many higher cognitive functions.
Praise for Evolutionary Neuropsychology:
“Anyone curious about the evolutionary roots of the human brain will relish this book. It offers a spirited dive into modern brain function origins by tracing the earliest hominins’ cognition through current neuroscience. Coolidge has a knack for answering unforeseen questions. Readers will better understand neuropsychology through his overview of controversies, historical perspectives, and case histories. This text will begin new and exciting conversations.” – Michelle M. Merwin, Professor of Psychology, University of Tennessee Martin
“Coolidge delves deeply into the evolution of the brain and touches the physical stuff of the universe and the principles of life itself. In highly digestible prose, he offers an overview of evolutionary neuropsychology while challenging assumptions about learning, sleep, brain regions, and psychopathology…a must read.” – Karenleigh Overmann, Associate Professor of Anthropology (Adjunct), University of Colorado
Cognitive Archaeology 