W.J.E. Hoppitt
The effect of task structure on diffusion dynamics: Implications for diffusion curve and network-based analyses
Hoppitt, W.J.E.; Kandler, A.; Kendal, J.R.; Laland, K.N.
Abstract
Theoretical analyses within the broad field of social learning research give mixed conclusions on whether the shape of a diffusion curve can be used to infer that a learned trait increases through social or asocial learning. Here we explore how factors such as task structure (e.g., multiple-step tasks), task abandonment, subgoal learning, and neophobia affect the shape of the diffusion curve for both asocially learned and socially learned behavior. We demonstrate that, whereas social learning increases the likelihood of S-shaped curves, sigmoidal patterns can be generated by entirely asocial processes, and cannot be reliably interpreted as indicators of social learning. Our findings reinforce the view that diffusion curve analysis is not a reliable way of detecting social transmission. We also draw attention to the fact that task structure can similarly confound interpretation of network-based diffusion analyses, and suggest resolutions to this problem. Supplemental materials for this article may be downloaded from http://lb.psychonomic-journals.org/content/supplemental.
Citation
Hoppitt, W., Kandler, A., Kendal, J., & Laland, K. (2010). The effect of task structure on diffusion dynamics: Implications for diffusion curve and network-based analyses. Learning & Behavior, 38(3), 243-251. https://doi.org/10.3758/lb.38.3.243
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Online Publication Date | Oct 15, 2010 |
Publication Date | 2010-08 |
Deposit Date | Oct 15, 2010 |
Journal | Learning and Behavior |
Print ISSN | 1543-4494 |
Electronic ISSN | 1543-4508 |
Publisher | Springer |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 38 |
Issue | 3 |
Pages | 243-251 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.3758/lb.38.3.243 |
Public URL | https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1516598 |
You might also like
Investigating the effects of social information on spite in an online game
(2024)
Journal Article
Cinderella’s Family Tree. A Phylomemetic Case Study of ATU 510/511
(2023)
Journal Article
The role of population size in folk tune complexity
(2022)
Journal Article
Downloadable Citations
About Durham Research Online (DRO)
Administrator e-mail: dro.admin@durham.ac.uk
This application uses the following open-source libraries:
SheetJS Community Edition
Apache License Version 2.0 (http://www.apache.org/licenses/)
PDF.js
Apache License Version 2.0 (http://www.apache.org/licenses/)
Font Awesome
SIL OFL 1.1 (http://scripts.sil.org/OFL)
MIT License (http://opensource.org/licenses/mit-license.html)
CC BY 3.0 ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)
Powered by Worktribe © 2024
Advanced Search