10 Questions
What is Cultural Transmission?
A system of information transfer that affects an individual’s phenotype through teaching or social learning
What is an example of Vertical Cultural Transmission?
Mother Cheetahs teaching hunting behavior to young
What is an example of Horizontal Cultural Transmission?
Dolphins learning shelling behavior from peers
What distinguishes Cultural Selection from Natural Selection?
Cultural selection can operate much faster than Natural Selection
What is necessary for Cultural Transmission to occur?
A demonstrator and an observer
What is social facilitation in animals?
When the performance of an innate behavior by an animal increases the probability of other animals also engaging in that behavior
How do griffon vultures find food when foraging?
By soaring at up to 800m above the ground and following other searching birds to locate food
What is local enhancement in animal behavior?
Individuals learn by being drawn to the action of another individual
When does cultural transmission NOT occur?
When an individual learns on its own without being drawn to the action of another individual
What distinguishes social facilitation from cultural transmission?
Social facilitation increases the probability of other animals engaging in a behavior, while cultural transmission involves learning from a model
Study Notes
Cultural Transmission
- Cultural transmission refers to the process of learning and transferring information, behaviors, or traditions from one generation to another or within a generation.
Types of Cultural Transmission
- Vertical Cultural Transmission: When cultural traits are passed down from one generation to the next, such as parents teaching their children. Example: A mother teaching her daughter how to cook a traditional family recipe.
- Horizontal Cultural Transmission: When cultural traits are passed between individuals of the same generation, such as friends or peers. Example: A group of teenagers learning a new dance move from each other.
Cultural Selection vs Natural Selection
- Cultural selection refers to the process by which cultural traits are selected and transmitted based on their utility or adaptiveness. It differs from natural selection, which is the process by which genetic traits are selected and transmitted based on their utility or adaptiveness.
Conditions for Cultural Transmission
- Cultural transmission occurs when there is a process of learning, imitation, or social interaction that allows information or behaviors to be transferred from one individual to another.
Social Facilitation in Animals
- Social facilitation refers to the phenomenon where the presence of others influences an individual's behavior, often increasing its frequency or intensity. Example: Birds foraging in a group tend to eat more than when alone.
Foraging in Griffon Vultures
- Griffon vultures find food by following other vultures that have already found a carcass, a process known as local enhancement. This allows them to exploit the food source without having to search for it themselves.
Local Enhancement
- Local enhancement is a process where the presence of others attracts individuals to a particular location, increasing the likelihood of finding food or resources. Example: Seabirds following fishing boats to feed on discarded fish.
Limitations of Cultural Transmission
- Cultural transmission does not occur when there is no social interaction, learning, or imitation, or when there is a lack of innovation or creativity.
Social Facilitation vs Cultural Transmission
- Social facilitation refers to the instantaneous influence of others on an individual's behavior, whereas cultural transmission refers to the transmission of information or behaviors across time and generations.
Test your knowledge of cultural transmission with this quiz! Explore how information is transferred between individuals and learn about the impact it has on behavior and phenotype. From teaching to social learning, discover the intricate process of passing down knowledge through generations.
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