Impact of technical reasoning and theory of mind on cumulative technological culture: insights from a model of micro-societies

Abstract Our technologies have never ceased to evolve, allowing our lineage expand its habitat all over the Earth, and even explore space. This phenomenon, called cumulative technological culture (CTC), has been studied extensively, notably using mathematical computational models. However, cognitive capacities needed for emergence maintenance of CTC remain largely unknown. In literature, focus is put on distinctive ability humans imitate, with an emphasis unique social skills underlying it, namely theory mind (ToM). A recent alternative view, technical-reasoning hypothesis, proposes that understand physical world (i.e., technical reasoning; TR) might also play a critical role in CTC. Here, we propose simple model, based micro-society paradigm, integrates these two hypotheses. The model composed environment only one technology transmitted between generations individuals. These individuals skills: ToM TR, can learn different social-learning conditions improve technology. results show TR support both transmission information modification technology, not necessary although it allows faster growth rate.