One theory suggests human brain growth is related to the need for creativity in order to attract a mate. 

Villanova University

The evolution of a large cortex, the outer covering of the cerebral hemispheres,  occurred rapidly and recently due to a multitude of possible factors, including some that promoted certain behaviors/capabilities: selection pressures, sexual selection, and gene expression. 

Evolution of a Large Cortex in Hominins

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

Environmental demands that influence an organism's survivability. Can be positive (beneficial) or negative (detrimental). 

Selection Pressures 

Sexual Selection Influence on Hominin Brain Evolution

Humans and chimpanzees, who share nearly 99% of DNA, still differ in a plethora of physical, behavioral and cognitive ways- this may be because we differ in the specific sequences of our DNA, as well as in how genes express themselves in us. 

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