Culturally-transmitted feeding behaviour in primates: Evidence for accelerating learning rates

摘要: Cultural transmission implies the rapid spread of behavioural innovations when initially naive individuals copy more informed ones. Mathematical models feature accelerating (and in most cases, logistic) rates learning as animals that acquire an innovation provide ever increasing numbers informers for potential learners. Conversely, non-accelerating have been proposed a null hypothesis apparent cases cultural can best be explained by simpler mechanisms such trial-and-error learning. Using AIC technique comparing with different parameters, this paper examines 21 primate literature where quantifiable data are available on presumed culturally-transmitted feeding innovations. In each case, cumulative distributions over time frequency or proportion compared three functions (logistic, positive exponential, and hyperbolic sine) two ones (linear logarithmic). 16 fit is given function: nine these support logistic, four exponential three, reverse S-shaped sine. Individual often show small differences between alternative functions, but overall trends assumption rates.