In this view, Neandertals, with relatively low population densities, lacked the widespread social networks that would have required
greater symbolic communication within and between population groups.
A number of non-human animals, including the
great apes, cetaceans (i.e. dolphins and whales), elephants, and parrots, exhibit characteristics and tendencies consistent with that of a person's traits like self - awareness, intentionality, creativity,
symbolic communication, and many others.