scholarly journals Specialization in the vicarious learning of novel arbitrary sequences in humans but not orangutans

2020 ◽  
Vol 375 (1805) ◽  
pp. 20190442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Renner ◽  
Eric M. Patterson ◽  
Francys Subiaul
Keyword(s):  
Tool Use ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Vicarious Learning ◽  
Trial And Error ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Learning Conditions ◽  
Error Learning ◽  
Cognitive Feature ◽  
Do So

Sequence learning underlies many uniquely human behaviours, from complex tool use to language and ritual. To understand whether this fundamental cognitive feature is uniquely derived in humans requires a comparative approach. We propose that the vicarious (but not individual) learning of novel arbitrary sequences represents a human cognitive specialization. To test this hypothesis, we compared the abilities of human children aged 3–5 years and orangutans to learn different types of arbitrary sequences (item-based and spatial-based). Sequences could be learned individually (by trial and error) or vicariously from a human (social) demonstrator or a computer (ghost control). We found that both children and orangutans recalled both types of sequence following trial-and-error learning; older children also learned both types of sequence following social and ghost demonstrations. Orangutans' success individually learning arbitrary sequences shows that their failure to do so in some vicarious learning conditions is not owing to general representational problems. These results provide new insights into some of the most persistent discontinuities observed between humans and other great apes in terms of complex tool use, language and ritual, all of which involve the cultural learning of novel arbitrary sequences. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Ritual renaissance: new insights into the most human of behaviours’.

scholarly journals Developing a Sense of Knowing and Acquiring the Skills to Manage Pain in Children with Profound Cognitive Impairments: Mothers’ Perspectives

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernie Carter ◽  
Janine Arnott ◽  
Joan Simons ◽  
Lucy Bray
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Method ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Reflective Learning ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
Trial And Error ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Pain Diary ◽  
Heterogenous Group ◽  
Error Learning

Children with profound cognitive impairment (PCI) are a heterogenous group who often experience frequent and persistent pain. Those people closest to the child are key to assessing their pain. This mixed method study aimed to explore how parents acquire knowledge and skills in assessing and managing their child’s pain. Eight mothers completed a weekly pain diary and were interviewed at weeks 1 and 8. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis and the quantitative data using descriptive statistics. Mothers talked of learning through a system of trial and error (“learning to get on with it”); this was accomplished through “learning to know without a rule book or guide”; “learning to be a convincing advocate”; and “learning to endure and to get things right.” Experiential and reflective learning was evident in the way the mothers developed a “sense of knowing” their child’s pain. They drew on embodied knowledge of how their child usually expressed and responded to pain to help make pain-related decisions. Health professionals need to support mothers/parents to develop their knowledge and skills and to gain confidence in pain assessment and they should recognise and act on the mothers’ concerns.

Administration of an organization undergoing change

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 691-708
Author(s):  
Abha Chatterjee ◽  
Sasanka Sekhar Chanda ◽  
Sougata Ray
Keyword(s):  
Transaction Cost Economics ◽  
Major Change ◽  
Change Implementation ◽  
Trial And Error ◽  
Organizational Life ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Inadequate Knowledge ◽  
Error Learning ◽  
Organizational Reality ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to develop conceptual arguments questioning the efficacy of administration by the transaction cost economics (TCE) approach in an organization undergoing a major change. Design/methodology/approach The focus is on three distinct dimensions of organizational life where, as per prior research, TCE is likely to be inadequate: interdependence across transactions, high reliance on managerial foresight and inseparability of administrative decisions made at different points in time. Findings The climate of coercion and surveillance engendered by administration based on TCE approaches – that punishes deviation from goals, even when they are framed on inadequate knowledge – forestalls creative problem-solving that is necessary to address unforeseen developments that arise during change implementation. Fiat accomplishes within-group compliance in the change project sub-teams, but between-group interdependencies tend to be neglected, hampering organizational effectiveness. Moreover, attempts to create independent spheres of accountability for concurrent fiats regarding pre-existing and new commitments breed inefficiency and wastage. Research limitations/implications The malevolent aspects of TCE-based administration contribute to organizational dysfunctions like escalation of commitment and developing of silos in organizations. Practical implications To succeed in effecting a major organizational change, meaningful relaxation of demands for delivering on prior goals is required, along with forbearance of errors made during trial-and-error learning. Originality/value TCE-based administration is deleterious to an organization attempting a major change. Supremacy accorded to resolution of conflicts in distinct hierarchical relationships by the mechanism of fiat fails to address the needs of an organizational reality where multiple groups are engaged in a set of interdependent activities and where multiple, interdependent organizational imperatives need to be concurrently served.

scholarly journals Evolution and the City

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (02) ◽  
pp. 44-49
Author(s):  
Adrian Bejan
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
Flow System ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Trial And Error ◽  
Street Network ◽  
Scientific Principle ◽  
The City ◽  
Natural Way ◽  
Do So

This article analyzes the organization of a city in terms of how well it enables humans to move from any point to the whole area. In accordance with Constructal Law, the natural way to assemble and connect a road and street network is to ensure that travel time is reduced at every turn and with every change in the flow design. The article also highlights that predicting the future and constructing changes based on a proven scientific principle is much faster and more economical than trial and error. Due to the modern technology, urban design expands not only outward, into suburbs, and inward, toward dense city centers, but also vertically. Experts suggest that if we can anticipate the urban features that emerge naturally from the need for greater access, we can plan ahead and design with confidence the features that not only serve the population, but do so with staying power. A city is a live flow system with freely changing architecture, many small streets, few large streets, and beltways.

scholarly journals Atheists

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah R. Schiavone ◽  
Will M Gervais
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Cultural Origins ◽  
Made In ◽  
Do So

Atheists represent an inconspicuous minority, identifiable only by their disbelief in God(s). Despite being highly stigmatized and disliked, until recent scientific endeavors, little has been known about this group including why they don’t believe, how many people are atheists, and why they trigger intense reactions. Thus, this paper aims to synthesize what is known about atheists (so far), and to help explain the widespread negative attitudes and prejudice towards atheists; the possible cognitive, motivational, and cultural origins of disbelief; and the unique challenges facing the study of religious disbelievers. To do so, we will explore current findings in psychological research on atheism by considering the complex interactions of cultural learning, motivations, and core cognitive processes. Although significant scientific progress has been made in understanding the factors underlying atheism, there remains much to be explored in the domain of religious disbelief.

scholarly journals The Child Justice Act: Procedural Sentencing Issues

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 320
Author(s):  
Stephan S Terblanche
Keyword(s):  
General Rule ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Probation Officers ◽  
Care Centre ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Trial Courts ◽  
Victim Impact Statement ◽  
The Status ◽  
Do So

In this contribution a number of procedural issues related to the sentencing of child offenders and emanating from the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 are considered in some detail. As a general rule, the Act requires pre-sentence reports to be obtained from probation officers before sentencing any child offender, with only a limited number of exceptions. The article argues that the peremptory nature of the Act means that a probation report is always required, even if reports by other experts are also available. The exceptions are limited to instances other than those where the child offender is sentenced to any form of imprisonment or to residence in a care centre. The article addresses the question of whether or not the reference to imprisonment includes alternative imprisonment which is imposed only as an alternative to a fine. It suggests that alternative imprisonment should, generally, not be imposed on child offenders. When an exception is not prevented because of the sentence, a pre-sentence report may be dispensed with only when the offence is a schedule-1 offence (the least serious class of offences) or when obtaining a report would prejudice the child. It is argued that these exceptions are likely to occur rather rarely. A final aspect of the Act’s provisions on pre-sentence reports is the requirement that reasons be given for a departure from the recommendations in a pre-sentence report. This requirement merely confirms the status quo. The Act permits the prosecutor to provide the court with a victim impact statement. Such a statement is defined in the Act. It is a sworn statement by a victim or someone authorised by the victim explaining the consequences to the victim of the commission of the crime. The article also addresses the issue of whether or not the child justice court might mero motu obtain a victim impact statement when the prosecution does not do so. Finally, the article addresses appeals against and reviews of the trial courts’ sentences. It notes that appeal by the child offender is made somewhat easier, as some child offenders need not obtain leave to appeal. These include children under the age of 16, or older children sentenced to imprisonment. Again, the meaning of “imprisonment” is at least somewhat ambiguous. The provisions on automatic review have attracted considerable judicial attention already. The majority of these judgments confirmed the apparently clear wording of the Act, in terms of which the cases of all child offenders under the age of 16 should be reviewed regardless of whether they were legally represented or of the sentence imposed. In the case of child offenders aged 16 or 17, only custodial sentences are reviewable. The judgments which found this to be an incorrect interpretation are dealt with in some detail, with the conclusion that they were incorrectly decided.

scholarly journals The Risk of Failure: Trial and Error Learning and Long-Run Performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Callander ◽  
Niko Matouschek
Keyword(s):  
Sufficient Conditions ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Risk Averse ◽  
Trial And Error ◽  
Improve Performance ◽  
Risk Of Failure ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Error Learning ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

Innovation is often the key to sustained progress, yet innovation itself is difficult and highly risky. Success is not guaranteed as breakthroughs are mixed with setbacks and the path of learning is typically far from smooth. How decision makers learn by trial and error and the efficacy of the process are inextricably linked to the incentives of the decision makers themselves and, in particular, to their tolerance for risk. In this paper, we develop a model of trial and error learning with risk averse agents who learn by observing the choices of earlier agents and the outcomes that are realized. We identify sufficient conditions for the existence of optimal actions. We show that behavior within each period varies in risk and performance and that a performance trap develops, such that low performing agents opt to not experiment and thus fail to gain the knowledge necessary to improve performance. We also show that the impact of risk reverberates across periods, leading, on average, to divergence in long-run performance across agents. (JEL D81, D83, O31, O38)

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