"Model age-based" and "copy when uncertain" biases in children's social learning of a novel task.
J Exp Child Psychol
; 150: 272-284, 2016 10.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27371768
ABSTRACT
Theoretical models of social learning predict that individuals can benefit from using strategies that specify when and whom to copy. Here the interaction of two social learning strategies, model age-based biased copying and copy when uncertain, was investigated. Uncertainty was created via a systematic manipulation of demonstration efficacy (completeness) and efficiency (causal relevance of some actions). The participants, 4- to 6-year-old children (N=140), viewed both an adult model and a child model, each of whom used a different tool on a novel task. They did so in a complete condition, a near-complete condition, a partial demonstration condition, or a no-demonstration condition. Half of the demonstrations in each condition incorporated causally irrelevant actions by the models. Social transmission was assessed by first responses but also through children's continued fidelity, the hallmark of social traditions. Results revealed a bias to copy the child model both on first response and in continued interactions. Demonstration efficacy and efficiency did not affect choice of model at first response but did influence solution exploration across trials, with demonstrations containing causally irrelevant actions decreasing exploration of alternative methods. These results imply that uncertain environments can result in canalized social learning from specific classes of model.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Aprendizado Social
/
Comportamento Imitativo
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Child
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Child, preschool
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Female
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Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Exp Child Psychol
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido