Cultural evolution and visual cognitive diversity through interaction with the environment

Abstract

Visual cognition varies from person to person. Cultural and environmental differences can explain this variation to a certain degree. As cognition shifts, new cultures and environments are created, based on these changes. Thus, this shift can be thought of as a process of mutual coevolution throughout the history of humankind. However, our understanding of how culture and environment change visual cognition remains incomplete. In this paper, we review cross-cultural studies in visual cognition and discuss the framework through which differences in visual cognition are generated, based on cultural evolution. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of examining visual cognition beyond limited regional comparisons and relevant strategies to understand better the diversity in visual cognition that emerges through interaction with the environment.