% pubman genre = article @article{item_2640246, title = {{Selective copying of the majority suggests children are broadly {\textquotedblleft}optimal- {\textquotedblright} rather than {\textquotedblleft}over- {\textquotedblright} imitators}}, author = {Evans, Cara L. and Laland, Kevin N. and Carpenter, Malinda and Kendal, Rachel L.}, language = {eng}, issn = {1363-755X}, doi = {10.1111/desc.12637}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwill}, address = {Hoboken, New Jersey}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-09}, abstract = {{Human children, in contrast to other species, are frequently cast as prolific{\textless}br{\textgreater}{\textquotedblleft}over- imitators{\textquotedblright}. However, previous studies of {\textquotedblleft}over- imitation{\textquotedblright} have overlooked many{\textless}br{\textgreater}important real- world social dynamics, and may thus provide an inaccurate account of{\textless}br{\textgreater}this seemingly puzzling and potentially maladaptive phenomenon. Here we investigate{\textless}br{\textgreater}this topic using a cultural evolutionary approach, focusing particularly on the key{\textless}br{\textgreater}adaptive learning strategy of majority- biased copying. Most {\textquotedblleft}over- imitation{\textquotedblright} research{\textless}br{\textgreater}has been conducted using consistent demonstrations to the observer, but we{\textless}br{\textgreater}systematically varied the frequency of demonstrators that 4- to 6- year- old children{\textless}br{\textgreater}observed performing a causally irrelevant action. Children who {\textquotedblleft}over- imitate{\textquotedblright} inflexibly{\textless}br{\textgreater}should copy the majority regardless of whether the majority solution omits or includes{\textless}br{\textgreater}a causally irrelevant action. However, we found that children calibrated their tendency{\textless}br{\textgreater}to acquire the majority behavior, such that copying did not extend to majorities that{\textless}br{\textgreater}performed irrelevant actions. These results are consistent with a highly functional,{\textless}br{\textgreater}adaptive integration of social and causal information, rather than explanations implying{\textless}br{\textgreater}unselective copying or causal misunderstanding. This suggests that our species might{\textless}br{\textgreater}be better characterized as broadly {\textquotedblleft}optimal- {\textquotedblright} rather than{\textquotedblleft}over-{\textquotedblright} imitators.}}, journal = {{Developmental Science}}, volume = {21}, number = {5}, eid = {e12637}, }