Interactions Between Copy-When and Copy-Who Strategies of Social Learning

Abstract

Theoretical models predict conditions under which individuals should forgo individual learning and instead copy the behaviours of others. These predictions are categorized as copy-when and copy-who social learning strategies, and pertain to when an individual should rely on social learning to guide its behaviour and whom that individual should select as a demonstrator. In general, and particularly in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), there is greater empirical support for copy-when than copy-who strategies. In this thesis, we present a novel approach to the study of social learning in hypothesizing that interactions exist between copy-when and copy-who strategies that predispose individuals to be more discriminating when choosing whom to copy. Consequently, the failure of some studies to find evidence of copy-who strategies may be due, in part, to experimental protocols that did not incorporate critical copy-when variables. We tested the prediction that 'observer' Norway rats would preferentially copy successful over unsuccessful demonstrators when uncertain about the relative safety of two novel foods, but not when certain. The results of two experiments presented herein, confirm our prediction that observer rats do copy successful demonstrators when uncertain. Additionally these results are the first to show that Norway rats actively select particular conspecifics to serve as models when choosing whom to copy. Further investigation of similar interactions between copy-when and copy-who strategies promises to be a rewarding avenue of research for both theoretical and empirical studies of social learning.