In Evolutionary Neuropsychology, Frederick L. Coolidge examines the evolutionary origins of the human brain’s present structures and functions, and traces these origins from the first life forms, through the development of consciousness, to modern human thinking. A new multidisciplinary science, evolutionary neuropsychology embraces and uses empirical findings from the fields of evolution, neuroscience, cognitive sciences, psychology, anthropology, and archaeology. The bedrock foundation of evolutionary neuropsychology is the assumption that functionally-specialized brain regions are adaptations naturally selected in response to various environmental challenges over the course of billions of years of evolution. These adaptations and their brain regions and circuitry may now serve new functions, which are called exaptations, and they are particularly involved in higher cognitive functions.

“Anyone who is curious about the evolutionary roots of the human brain and cognition will relish this book, including professionals and students. The text offers a spirited and accessible deep dive into the origins of memory, classical conditioning, integration and contrast of primate cognition to early human cognition through current neuropsychology and neuroscience literature. Coolidge has a knack for anticipating, raising, and answering unforeseen questions. Readers will better understand neuropsychology through the presented controversies, historical perspectives, and case histories. This text answers many questions and will begin new, exciting conversations.”
–Michelle M. Merwin, Professor of Psychology, University of Tennessee Martin”Coolidge delves so deeply into the evolution of the human brain that he touches the physical stuff of the universe and the principles of life itself. In clear, succinct, and highly digestible prose, he offers a solid overview of evolutionary neuropsychology while challenging long-standing assumptions about functions like learning and sleep, structures like the parietal lobe and cerebellum, and pathologies like personality disorders. A must-read for scholars and students alike.”
–Karenleigh Overmann, Research Fellow, University of Bergen, Norway

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