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Evo-devo, modularity, and evolvability: Insights for cultural evolution

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2006

Simon M. Reader
Simon M. Reader*
Affiliation:
Department of Behavioural Biology and Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht3508TB, The Netherlandshttp://www.bio.uu.nl/behaviour/Reader/
*
[email protected]
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Abstract:

Evolutionary developmental biology (“evo-devo”) may provide insights and new methods for studies of cognition and cultural evolution. For example, I propose using cultural selection and individual learning to examine constraints on cultural evolution. Modularity, the idea that traits vary independently, can facilitate evolution (increase “evolvability”), because evolution can act on one trait without disrupting another. I explore links between cognitive modularity, evolutionary modularity, and cultural evolvability.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 29 , Issue 4 , August 2006 , pp. 361 - 362
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

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