the cultural origins of human cognition by michael tomasello, published in the proceedings of the annual meeting of the cognitive science society, 25(25), 2003. tomasello, based at the max planck institute for evolutionary anthropology, argues that humans are biologically adapted for culture in ways that other primates are not. uniquely human forms of social understanding and cultural learning emerge in human ontogeny around one year of age as infants begin to engage with other persons in various kinds of joint attentional activities, including linguistic communication. comparisons to the social cognition of apes help to specify the nature of uniquely human social cognition and cultural learning. the paper highlights the importance of cultural learning and social understanding in human development, suggesting that these abilities are uniquely human and emerge through specific social interactions. tomasello's research emphasizes the role of culture in shaping human cognition and behavior, distinguishing humans from other primates. the study provides insights into the evolutionary development of human social and cultural abilities, underscoring the significance of joint attention and communication in the development of cultural learning. the paper is peer-reviewed and reflects the broader field of cognitive science, contributing to the understanding of how human cognition is rooted in cultural practices.the cultural origins of human cognition by michael tomasello, published in the proceedings of the annual meeting of the cognitive science society, 25(25), 2003. tomasello, based at the max planck institute for evolutionary anthropology, argues that humans are biologically adapted for culture in ways that other primates are not. uniquely human forms of social understanding and cultural learning emerge in human ontogeny around one year of age as infants begin to engage with other persons in various kinds of joint attentional activities, including linguistic communication. comparisons to the social cognition of apes help to specify the nature of uniquely human social cognition and cultural learning. the paper highlights the importance of cultural learning and social understanding in human development, suggesting that these abilities are uniquely human and emerge through specific social interactions. tomasello's research emphasizes the role of culture in shaping human cognition and behavior, distinguishing humans from other primates. the study provides insights into the evolutionary development of human social and cultural abilities, underscoring the significance of joint attention and communication in the development of cultural learning. the paper is peer-reviewed and reflects the broader field of cognitive science, contributing to the understanding of how human cognition is rooted in cultural practices.