It is widely believed that the demands of living in large, complexly bonded social groups played a key role in the evolution of human cognition. This review focuses on a critical but understudied skillset in the social-living toolkit: the ability to acquire, maintain, and use knowledge of the interpersonal relationships among the people around oneself. We provide a multidisciplinary synthesis of a diverse set of relevant findings, including recent work on the neural encoding and cognitive and behavioral consequences of knowledge of real-world social networks, research on how third-party relationship knowledge is tracked and used by children and other highly social primates, and research examining how people’s knowledge of their social networks can be leveraged to inform the design of interventions aiming to promote behavior change or to efficiently spread information.
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Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.