TY - JOUR
T1 - The interplay between psychological predispositions and skill learning in the evolution of tool use
AU - Amodio, Piero
AU - Jelbert, Sarah A.
AU - Clayton, Nicola S.
PY - 2018/4
Y1 - 2018/4
N2 - Tool use behaviours tend to be split into cases that appear to entail complex cognitive abilities and that are highly reliant on learning to be acquired (e.g. flexible tool use), and into others that seem to be more genetically canalized (e.g. stereotyped tool use). However recent evidences suggest that the differences between these forms of tool use are more nuanced than previously assumed, as in both cases tool use can entail some degree of both inborn predisposition and learning. Here, we particularly discuss the role played by intrinsic (e.g. not socially induced) motivation towards the manipulation of objects, in the emergence of flexible tool use. We highlight the importance of focussing on these psychological predispositions to understand the rarity of tool use among wild animals, as well as the higher proficiency in using tools that some species non-tool users express in captivity.
AB - Tool use behaviours tend to be split into cases that appear to entail complex cognitive abilities and that are highly reliant on learning to be acquired (e.g. flexible tool use), and into others that seem to be more genetically canalized (e.g. stereotyped tool use). However recent evidences suggest that the differences between these forms of tool use are more nuanced than previously assumed, as in both cases tool use can entail some degree of both inborn predisposition and learning. Here, we particularly discuss the role played by intrinsic (e.g. not socially induced) motivation towards the manipulation of objects, in the emergence of flexible tool use. We highlight the importance of focussing on these psychological predispositions to understand the rarity of tool use among wild animals, as well as the higher proficiency in using tools that some species non-tool users express in captivity.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85041528850&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.01.002
DO - 10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.01.002
M3 - Review article (Academic Journal)
AN - SCOPUS:85041528850
SN - 2352-1546
VL - 20
SP - 130
EP - 137
JO - Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences
JF - Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences
ER -