The columns (a,c) and (b,d) correspond to two runs with different random seed over 300 000 updates (30 000 ‘years’) at a resolution of 500 × 500, with the SLR boost institution and the genetically inherited cognitive capacity active. The BASE case parameters are used, but with SLR = 30. Top row (a,b) Evolution of the measured social learning rate (green) and the efficiency of resource utilization (purple). Bottom row (c,d) Evolution of the costly cognitive ability to use sophisticated SLR institutions (solid). As a reference, the case where cognition is not coupled with this ability is provided to verify that there is no other source of positive selection for this feature (dashed).