Dictionary of Human Evolution and Biology

Dictionary of Human Evolution and Biology

Observational Learning

1. communication in mammals by which information is passed to young (or naive) individuals by observing their mothers or other adults repeatedly. Through observational learning the young primate learns lessons vital to survival such as the choice and handling of food items, social rules, and its place in the social hierarchy.

2. unrewarded learning; aka empathic learning.

Full-Text Search Entries

empathetic learning (See observational learning.)
empathic learning (See observational learning.)
social learning (See observational learning.)
learning (... soft-wired animals. See learned, learning capacity, and learning disposition.)
learning capacity (... species in question. See learning disposition.)