Mammalian Social Learning
Comparative and Ecological Perspectives

A comparative study of social learning and its implications in a wide range of mammalian species.

Hilary O. Box (Edited by), Kathleen R. Gibson (Edited by)

9780521031950, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 November 2006

440 pages, 49 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.4 x 2.4 cm, 0.657 kg

'… this book will broaden your horizons on social learning.' Jean McKinley, Primate Eye

Social learning commonly refers to the social transfer of information and skill among individuals. It encompasses a wide range of behaviours that include where and how to obtain food, how to interact with members of one's own social group, and to identify and respond appropriately to predators. The behaviour of experienced individuals provides natural sources of information, by which inexperienced individuals may learn about the opportunities and hazards of their environment, and develop and modify their own behaviour as a result. A wide diversity of species is discussed in this book, some of which have never been discussed in this context before, and particular reference is made to their natural life strategies. Social learning in humans is also considered by comparison with other mammals, especially in their technological and craft traditions. Moreover, a discussion is included of the social learning abilities of prehistoric hominids.

List of contributors
Preface
Part I. New Perspectives in Studies of Social Learning: Editors' comments Hilary O. Box and Kathleen R. Gibson
1. The myth of peculiar primates Thelma Rowell
2. New directions in the study of primate learning Barbara J. King
3. Temperament and socially mediated learning among primates Hilary O. Box
4. Evolutionary biology of skill and information transfer Richard M. Sibly
Part II. Social Learning Among Species of Terrestrial Herbivores: Editors' comments Hilary O. Box and Kathleen R. Gibson
5. Social learning in marsupials Karen Higginbottom and David B. Croft
6. The social context for learning and behavioural development among wild African elephants Phyllis C. Lee and Cynthia J. Moss
7. Comparative social learning among arctic herbivores: the caribou, muskox and arctic hare David R. Klein
8. Transmission of olfactory information from mother to young in the European rabbit Robyn Hudson, Benoist Schaal and Ágnes Bilkó
9. Social transfer of information in domestic animals Donald M. Broom
Part III. Rats, Bats and Naked Mole-Rats: Animals With Information Centres: Editors' comments Kathleen R. Gibson and Hilary O. Box
10. Exploring the dynamics of social transmission with rats Kevin N. Laland
11. Social influences on foraging in bats Gerald S. Wilkinson and Janette Wenrick Boughman
12. Social transmission of information in a eusocial rodent, the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) Chris G. Faulkes
Part IV. Social Learning Among Species of Terrestrial Carnivores: Editors' comments Hilary O. Box and Kathleen R. Gibson
13. Opportunities for social learning in bears Barrie K. Gilbert
14. Watch with mother: a review of social learning in the Felidae Andrew C. Kitchener
15. Social learning in canids: an ecological perspective Jan A. J. Nel
Part V. Dolphins and Whales: Communication and Foraging in Aquatic Environments: Editors' comments Kathleen R. Gibson and Hilary O. Box
16. Social learning in cetaceans: hunting, hearing and hierarchies James R. Boran and Sara L. Heimlich
17. Origins and implications of vocal learning in bottlenose dolphins Vincent M. Janik
Part VI. The Great Ape-Human Adaptation: Culture and the Cognitive Niche: Editors' comments Kathleen R. Gibson and Hilary O. Box
18. Cognition in great ape ecology: skill-learning ability opens up foraging opportunities Richard W. Byrne
19. Social transmission of facts and skills in the human species: neural mechanisms Kathleen R. Gibson
20. Cultural learning in hominids: a behavioural ecological approach Stephen J. Shennan and James Steele
21. Imitation and cultural change: a view from the Stone Age, with specific reference to the manufacture of handaxes Steven Mithen
Part VII. Concluding Remarks: 22. Social learning and behavioural strategies among mammals Hilary O. Box and Kathleen R. Gibson
Index.

Subject Areas: Zoology: Mammals [PSVW7], Animal behaviour [PSVP]