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Genetic assimilation of behaviour does not eliminate learning and innovation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 December 2007

Gavin R. Hunt  and
Russell D. Gray
Gavin R. Hunt
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. grhunt10@hotmail.comrd.gray@auckland.ac.nzhttp://www.auckland.ac.nz
Russell D. Gray
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. grhunt10@hotmail.comrd.gray@auckland.ac.nzhttp://www.auckland.ac.nz
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Abstract

Ramsey et al. attempt to clarify methodological issues for identifying innovative behaviour. Their effort is seriously weakened by an underlying presumption that the behavior of primates is generally learned and that of non-primates is generally “innate.” This presumption is based on a poor grasp of the non-primate literature and a flawed understanding of how learned behaviour is genetically assimilated.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 30 , Issue 4 , August 2007 , pp. 412 - 413
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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