Social learning : an introduction to mechanisms, methods, and models / William Hoppitt and Kevin N. Laland.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hoppitt, William.

Contributor:

Laland, Kevin N.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Learning in animals--Research--Methodology.

Learning in animals.

Social learning--Research--Methodology.

Social learning.

Psychology, Comparative--Research--Methodology.

Psychology, Comparative.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (320 p.)

Edition:

Course Book

Place of Publication:

Princeton : Princeton University Press, 2013.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Many animals, including humans, acquire valuable skills and knowledge by copying others. Scientists refer to this as social learning. It is one of the most exciting and rapidly developing areas of behavioral research and sits at the interface of many academic disciplines, including biology, experimental psychology, economics, and cognitive neuroscience. Social Learning provides a comprehensive, practical guide to the research methods of this important emerging field. William Hoppitt and Kevin Laland define the mechanisms thought to underlie social learning and demonstrate how to distinguish them experimentally in the laboratory. They present techniques for detecting and quantifying social learning in nature, including statistical modeling of the spatial distribution of behavior traits. They also describe the latest theory and empirical findings on social learning strategies, and introduce readers to mathematical methods and models used in the study of cultural evolution. This book is an indispensable tool for researchers and an essential primer for students. Provides a comprehensive, practical guide to social learning research Combines theoretical and empirical approaches Describes techniques for the laboratory and the field Covers social learning mechanisms and strategies, statistical modeling techniques for field data, mathematical modeling of cultural evolution, and more

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Social Learning

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 2. A Brief History of Social Learning Research

Chapter 3. Methods for Studying Social Learning in the Laboratory

Chapter 4. Social Learning Mechanisms

Chapter 5. Statistical Methods for Diffusion Data

Chapter 6. Repertoire- Based Methods for Detecting and Quantifying Social Transmission

Chapter 7. Developmental Methods for Studying Social Learning

Chapter 8. Social Learning Strategies

Chapter 9. Modeling Social Learning and Culture

Chapter 10. Conclusions

References

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9780691150710

9781400846504

1400846501

9781299652132

1299652131

OCLC:

847526699