ENCEPHALIZATION THEORIES: AN INTEGRATIVE UPDATE REVIEW
Human encephalization. Brain size. Brain growth. Human evolution.
Encephalization favored the maintenance of the hominid species because it was characterized by a slow and gradual process that occurred with human evolution, enabling the development of higher brain functions, including memory and cognition. Several theories have emerged over time, based on fossil and archaeological evidence, which has observed the influence of environmental, climatic, and behavioral factors on brain growth. The hypotheses that attempt to explain human encephalization have genetic origins, associated with anatomical and physiological variations, metabolic and climatic changes. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to identify relevant studies on human encephalization, relating it to human behavior, diet, social and environmental interactions, metabolic and climatic changes, physical activity, and genetic factors. Methodology: This study was based on an integrative literature review, the main objective of which was to synthesize available research, searching the Scopus and PubMed databases, integrated into the online tool Rayyan. Papers with at least one keyword in the title and/or abstract were selected and then read to identify similarities to the topic and intended objectives. A total of 102 publications were retrieved and analyzed in full. Each study was evaluated and assigned a methodological quality rating according to the JBI guidelines, which revealed, overall, high confidence in the results collected from these studies. The articles analyzed show that there is no consensus on the origins of brain and skull expansion, although there are many well-designed studies that address consistent theories, but further research is needed to prove them effectively.