Cultural Psychology by S.J. Heine (third edition) – Summary chapter 2

Imitative learning (humans)

Emulative learning (primates)

Not very effective.

Very effective.

Very precise.

Not very precise.

Focussed on the model.

Focussed on environmental events.

Allows for the accumulation of cultural information.

Does not allow for the accumulation of cultural information.

Imitation saves the cost of individual learning (1), requires the ability to identify models who stand-out (2) and leads to individuals attempting to increase frequency and intimacy with the model (3).

The social brain hypothesis states that humans have developed a large brain in order to facilitate growth and more complex social relationships. A large brain requires more energy and it is possible that this was possible by a shorter but more efficient gut (1) and having fewer muscles (2). It is also possible that humans developed a large brain due to eating vitamin-rich fruits or food sources requiring ingenuity to obtain.

Cultural learning requires a theory of mind (1) and language (2). Both aspects lead to the accumulation of cultural information. Together with innovation, this leads to the ratchet effect; cultural information growing in complexity and utility over time. A large brain facilitates cultural learning.

A large population will lead to quicker cultural learning and more innovation because a large population ensures the presence of a large number of models to copy. A loss of cultural knowledge tends to occur when a small group of people is cut off from a larger population due to there being a shortage of models to copy from.

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