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Penny Spikins in New Scientist

Posted on 6 November 2011

Mental problems gave early humans an edge

Penny Spikins's research into the significance of population differences in 'mind' in Palaeolithic societies featured in this week's New Scientist. Penny has argued that the tolerance and incorporation of people who are different (particularly those with autistic and schizophrenic traits) led to important changes with the emergence of our own species such as technological and subsistence innovations. Recent genetics research supports the argument that autism and schizophrenia are conditions found only in our own species.