Public information: from nosy neighbors to cultural evolution.
Psychologists, economists, and advertising moguls have long known that human decision-making is strongly influenced by the behavior of others. A rapidly accumulating body of evidence suggests that the same is true in animals. Individuals can use information arising from cues inadvertently produced by the behavior of other individuals with similar requirements. Many of these cues provide public information about the quality of alternatives. The use of public information is taxonomically widespread and can enhance fitness. Public information can lead to cultural evolution, which we suggest may then affect biological evolution.
Danchin
Etienne
E
U.P.M.C. CNRS-UMR7625, Bât A-7e étage-Case 237, 7 quai Saint Bernard, 75252 Paris Cédex 05, France. edanchin@snv.jussieu.fr
Giraldeau
Luc-Alain
LA
Valone
Thomas J
TJ
Wagner
Richard H
RH
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D005075:Biological Evolution; D003463:Cues; D003468:Cultural Evolution; D003657:Decision Making; D004777:Environment; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005796:Genes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal