The modularity of a social group does not affect the transmission speed of a novel, socially learned behaviour, or the formation of local variants.

ABSTRACT: The structure of a group is critical in determining how a socially learnt behaviour will spread. Predictions from theoretical models indicate that specific parameters of social structure differentially influence social transmission. Modularity describes how the structure of a group or network is divided into distinct subgroups or clusters. Theoretical modelling indicates that the modularity of a network will predict the rate of behavioural spread within a group, with higher modularity slowing the rate of spread and facilitating the establishment of local behavioural variants which can prelude local cultures. Despite prolific modelling approaches, empirical tests via manipulations of group structure remain scarce. We experimentally manipulated the modularity of populations of domestic fowl

SUBMITTER: Laker PR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8059538 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature