Symbolism, Setting, and Objects from The Hand: How Its Use Shapes the Brain, Language, and Human Culture

Object Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major objects in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Objects

Permanent immaturity - This theory underlies the author's thesis that people are born resourceful. Over time and experience they become skillful and thoughtful because their brain remains in a state of permanent curiosity, learning, and growth.

Australopithecine - The name of the first southern apes that walk upright in Africa.

Anthropological reference date - The term used by Wilson to denote human development periods.

Pliocene epoch - A term that denotes an anthropological period when hominids appear with a recognizable four-finger hand and thumb, exemplified by Lucy.

Theory of brain growth, language and...
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