Mind Evolutionary history of the human mind 

The evolution of human intelligence refers to a set of theories that attempt to explain how human intelligence has evolved. The question is closely tied to the evolution of the human brain, & to the emergence of human language.

The timeline of human evolution spans some 7 million years, from the separation of the Pan genus until the emergence of behavioral modernity by 50,000 years ago. Of this timeline, the first 3 million years concern Sahelanthropus, the following 2 million concern Australopithecus, while the final 2 million span the history of actual human species .

Many traits of human intelligence, such as empathy, theory of mind, mourning, ritual, & the use of symbols & tools, are already apparent in great apes although in lesser sophistication than in humans.

There is a debate between supporters of the idea of a sudden emergence of intelligence, or 'Great leap forward' & those of a gradual or continuum hypothesis.

Theories of the evolution of intelligence include -

• Robin Dunbar's social brain hypothesis
• Geoffrey Miller's sexual selection hypothesis
• The ecological dominance-social competition explained by Mark V. Flinn, David C. Geary & Carol V. Ward based mainly on work by Richard D. Alexander.
• The idea of intelligence as a signal of good health & resistance to disease.
• The Group selection theory contends that organism characteristics that provide benefits to a group could evolve despite individual disadvantages such as those cited above.
• The idea that intelligence is connected with nutrition, & thereby with status A higher IQ could be a signal that an individual comes from & lives in a physical & social environment where nutrition levels are high, & vice versa.