The Biology of Traditions Models and Evidence [Paperback]

Biology of Traditions explores socially maintained traditions in a broad range of non-human animals.Biology of Traditions explores socially-maintained behavioral traditions in animals other than humans. Uniquely, it treats traditions as biological phenomena amenable to comparative evaluation in the same way as other biological phenomena. It is also concerned with how widely shared features of social life and learning abilities can lead to traditions in many species. It differs from other books in its emphasis on explicit evaluation of alternative theories and methods, and in the breadth of species covered. It will be essential reading for students and researchers in behaviour, anthropology and psychology.Biology of Traditions explores socially-maintained behavioral traditions in animals other than humans. Uniquely, it treats traditions as biological phenomena amenable to comparative evaluation in the same way as other biological phenomena. It is also concerned with how widely shared features of social life and learning abilities can lead to traditions in many species. It differs from other books in its emphasis on explicit evaluation of alternative theories and methods, and in the breadth of species covered. It will be essential reading for students and researchers in behaviour, anthropology and psychology.In exploring socially-maintained behavioral traditions in animals other than humans, this study treats traditions as biological phenomena amenable to comparative evaluation in the same way as other biological phenomena. Concerned with how widely shared features of social life and learning abilities can lead to traditions in many species, it differs from other books in its emphasis on explicit evaluation of alternative theories and methods, and in the breadth of species covered. It is essential reading for students and researchers in animal behavior, anthropology and psychology.Preface Dorothy Fragaszy and Susan Perry; 1. Towards a biology of traditions Dorothy l#,