Learning How to Learn: The Impact of Culture on Learning

Abstract

Primate species have a long period of infantile dependency, and the majority of their behavior is learned through interaction with others of their species rather than being instinctual. In a social context, primates learn how and what to eat, proper sexual behavior, and communication skills, among the most basic of survival techniques. Without this long period of socialization, the individual primate is not adequately equipped to survive in his environment. Among the primate species, Homo sapiens has the longest period of infantile dependency and also the most complex and elaborate range of behavior.