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14 - Social Learning Strategies

from Part I - Evolution of Learning Processes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 May 2022

By
Rachel L. Kendal
Edited by
Mark A. Krause ,
Karen L. Hollis  and
Mauricio R. Papini
Mark A. Krause
Affiliation:
Southern Oregon University
Karen L. Hollis
Affiliation:
Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts
Mauricio R. Papini
Affiliation:
Texas Christian University
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Summary

Animal learning may play several important roles in evolution. Here we discuss how: (1) learning can provide an additional form of inheritance, (2) learning can instigate plasticity-first evolution, (3) learning can influence niche construction, and (4) learning can generate developmental bias. Evidence for these evolutionary effects of learning has accumulated rapidly over the last two decades, yet their significance for biological evolution remains poorly appreciated.

Keywords

niche constructionsocial learningplasticity-first evolutioncultural inheritance
Type
Chapter
Information
Evolution of Learning and Memory Mechanisms , pp. 247 - 264
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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