A reappreciation of 'conformity'. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Leeuwen, Edwin J.C.; Acerbi, Alberto; Kendal, Rachel L.; Tennie, Claudio; Haun, Daniel B.M.
• Is Part Of: Animal behaviour. Volume 122(2016)
• Page Start: e5
• Page End: e10
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: comparative psychology -- conformist transmission -- conformity -- cultural evolution -- learning biases -- majority influences -- social learning; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; 591.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.09.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-3472

Abstract

Highlights: This article presents a follow-up analysis of what constitutes 'conformity'. Do we conclude 'conformity' when a majority of behaviours, not individuals is copied? Do we conclude 'conformity' when subjects follow one individual instead of a majority? We present reasons why conflating behaviours and individuals is problematic. Vital to empirical studies on transmission biases are individual observation records.