The adaptive value of social learning: a reply to Laland

Article Abstract:

Flaws in social or individual learning processes suggest imperfection rather than maladaptivity. An adaptive behavior pattern does not mean that it represents the best behavior. Furthermore, maladaptive traditional behaviors will not likely be found in animals because of the nature of evolution. Finally, human persistence in showing socially acquired behavior patterns despite conflict with the physical environment is due to the different processes maintaining human and animal traditions.

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Is social learning always locally adaptive?

Article Abstract:

Social learning is deemed maladaptive when it produces traits regardless of their fitness consequences. Some learned behavioral options may be functionally equivalent and selectively neutral. Socially transmitted traits may also be considered maladaptive when they increase only absolute fitness. Finally, maladaptive socially transmitted traits lower absolute fitness. These traits are transmitted when individuals fail to perceive or identify the consequences of their behavior.

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On the relation between social dynamics and social learning

Article Abstract:

A model for illustrating the relationship between social processes and social learning in animals is presented. The model analyzes social learning on the basis of information acquired rather than the process of its acquisition. It is shown that social learning varies in biologically meaningful ways as a function not only of social characteristics and social setting but of the type of socially transmitted information as well.

Models, Learning in animals, Animal learning

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