We investigate the evolution of intelligence by studying cognition in both human and non-human animals. Our research program addresses three interrelated sets of questions: (1) What forms of intelligence do non-human animals exhibit? (2) In what ways is non-human intelligence similar to—or different from—human intelligence? (3) How do uniquely human cognitive abilities emerge during development?
Our work follows two major lines of inquiry. One examines different kinds of reasoning, including inferential, causal, and modal reasoning. The other focuses on the foundations of collaboration, especially cooperative thinking and concepts of fairness. For recent highlights from our empirical and theoretical projects, please visit the Research tab.
News
New Paper in Science
Check out the lab’s new publication on rational thought in chimpanzees here.
Joshua Confer to University of Toronto
Graduate student Josh Confer has accepted a postdoctoral position with Paul Bloom at the University of Toronto to begin in Fall 2025. Congratulations, Josh!
Dissertation Award
Dr. Antonia Langenhoff has been awarded the prestigious Glushko Dissertation Prize for her PhD work done in the lab. Congratulations!
New Postdoc
The lab welcomes new postdoc Florian Buehler to begin in the Spring of 2025!
Laura Lewis to UC Santa Barbara
Postdoc Laura Lewis has accepted a position as an Assistant Professor at UC Santa Barbara. Congratulations, Laura!
Dorsa Amir to Duke University
Lab alum Dorsa Amir has accepted a position as an Assistant Professor at Duke University. Congratulations, Dorsa!
Antonia Langenhoff to Stanford University
Graduate student Antonia Langenhoff has accepted a postdoctoral fellowship in Dr. Hyo Gweon’s lab at Stanford University. Congratulations, Antonia!
The Social Origins Lab values diversity both in the workplace and in our research. We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment as well as enriching learning opportunities to all lab members, including those from marginalized and historically underrepresented backgrounds. We encourage applications from students who identify as members of marginalized or historically underrepresented backgrounds. Furthermore, we are actively engaging with programs (such as the Research Experience Pathways program, the Cal NERDS program, and the Learning-Aligned Employment Program) that provide paid opportunities to such students. If you are a UC Berkeley undergraduate interested in joining our lab via one of these programs, please contact socialoriginsmanager@berkeley.edu.
Social Origins Lab 