August 4, 2014

Why are some lessons more easily learned than others?



Why are some lessons more easily learned than others? U of M researcher offers an evolutionary explanation

It’s easy to guess why it doesn’t take long to learn to avoid certain behaviors and embrace others. But how do we know what drives these predilections? A study led by Aimee Dunlap at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and co-authored by University of Minnesota researcher David Stephens, offers insight into the evolutionary underpinning of animals’ innate ability to quickly absorb critical life lessons.