Previous research has identified the prefrontal cortex (PFC) as a brain region that is critical for cognitive control. Currently, theorists remain divided about whether to view the PFC as primarily a coordinative, mnemonic, or inhibitory structure. A theory is presented that attempts to resolve some of the apparent conflicts between the predominant views on PFC control functions. In this theory...

The empirical core of evolutionary psychology is the study of evolved information processing mechanisms. This chapter reviews principles of research on evolved cognitive mechanisms and discusses examples of empirical work on mechanisms of face recognition, intentional inference, kin recognition, kin-based social interaction, and social exchange. It is argued that there is no general-purpose met...