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SARA-C: A core mechanism underlying g in evolution and development

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2025

Andreas Demetriou Open the ORCID record for Andreas Demetriou [Opens in a new window] ,
Andreas Savva  and
George Spanoudis
Andreas Demetriou*
Affiliation:
Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus demetriou.andreas.1@ucy.ac.cy University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus savva.s.andreas.1@ucy.ac.cy
Andreas Savva
Affiliation:
University of Cyprus, Cyprus spanoudis.george@ucy.ac.cy
George Spanoudis
Affiliation:
University of Cyprus, Cyprus spanoudis.george@ucy.ac.cy
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

We focus on active sensing and trait-linkage to show that a core mechanism, SARA-C (Search, Align, Relate, Abstract, Cognize), underlying human g, may unify the emergence of cognitive complexity (CC) in evolution and development. Bayesian modeling shows how SARA-C evolves, advancing from reflex-driven behavior (Annelids) to associative learning (arthropods), abstraction (cephalopods), and hierarchical control (vertebrates) to reasoning and self-awareness (humans).

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 48 , 2025 , e86
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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