Cultural evolution with uncertain provision of learning resources.

ABSTRACT: An essential feature of human progress is the use of different modes of learning so agents acquire the appropriate behaviour to survive in a changing environment. Learning may result from agents who discover new knowledge on their own (individual learning), or imitate the behaviour of others (social learning). Social learning is less costly than discovery, but imitation might yield no benefit. Early theoretical models of a population consisting of purely individual and purely social learners found that both types are present in an evolutionary equilibrium. However, the presence of social learners did not provide any improvement to the average population fitness. Subsequent research showed that the presence of social learners could improve the average population fitness, provided that the p

SUBMITTER: Ladas K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10955389 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature