The Origins of Collaborative Problem Solving

Abstract

This quasi-evolutionary account of the origins of collaborative problem solving builds primarily on research by the evolutionary psychologist Michael Tomasello (  ,  ). It assumes that the ability to engage in collaborative problem solving is the most important reason why humans have been successful in evolution. Early humans gradually developed these skills, which made them uniquely di ff erent from other great apes. It is suggested that this process fi rst began as closely intertwined mutual collaboration, which built on the evolution of more advanced forms of gestural communication. Three communicative motives are described, which are important in the development of the fi rst type of collaborative problem solving. The human joy of collaboration is highlighted. In in being to between individuals and across generations. was also necessary to develop more e ff ective types of collaboration. In the summary, this evolutionary account is compared with the modern examples of collaborative problem solving from the previous chapter.