Tag Archives: the lizard brain

Daniel Noble: Reptile Cognition


Courtesy of http://otheralternaterealities.com/

I think most of us are familiar with the term “The Lizard Brain” or “The Reptile Brain” tossed about in marketing circles and some psychology circles as well. This is from the triune brain theory proposed by physician and neuroscientist Paul D. MacLean in the 1960’s. MacLean claimed the Reptilian Complex was responsible for instinctual behaviors. This theory was later found to be a wanting. Reptile cognition is somewhat a new page in the science books for many people. As reptiles have long been believed to be just an instinctual creature with no other thoughts beyond food, sex, and avoid danger. Today we are speaking with Daniel Noble who tells us that this is not actually the case and that at least one specific species of Skink has the ability to learn! That’s right, learning lizards!