Comparative cultural cognition

Citation

Price EE, Caldwell CA & Whiten A (2010) Comparative cultural cognition. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science, 1 (1), pp. 23-31. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcs.14

Abstract
Cultural learning is an adaptive mechanism which can lead to changes in behavior and cognition much faster than naturally selected genetic change. Although social learning is prevalent inmany species, the capacity for significant cumulative culture remains restricted to humans. This capacity has been a driving force behind the evolution of complexity in our technologies and societies, and has allowed us to become themost widespread mammal on earth. The comparative study of cultural cognition assesseswhere important differences lie between species. Acombination of observational studies in the wild, experimental studies in captivity, and field experiments together provide the most comprehensive methods with which to tackle the question.

Keywords
culture; evolution; comparative psychology; social learning; Human behaviour; Intercultural communication; Human evolution

Journal
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science: Volume 1, Issue 1

People

Professor Christine Anna Caldwell

Professor, Psychology