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The Experience of Experience: An Exogenetic Program for Social Competence

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Perspectives in Ethology

Abstract

The cowbird exemplifies constrained and flexible genetic programs for the development of species-typical communicative behaviors. How such programs operate to effect the ontogeny of species and mate identification is the concern of the present chapter. We use our research on auditory communication in cowbirds to illustrate the necessity for broadening existing ontogenetic concepts and developing new ones aimed at explaining outcomes, rather than origins, of behavior. Among the concepts explored are those of heredity, environment, and experience. We argue that cowbirds, like many animals, inherit not only genes, but also species-typical companions and habitats. It is this latter form of exogenetic inheritance in the form of species-typical alliances that affords the opportunity to achieve species-typical competence.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27706, USA

    Andrew P. King

  2. Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514, USA

    Meredith J. West

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  1. Andrew P. King
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  2. Meredith J. West
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sub-Department of Animal Behaviour, University of Cambridge, Madingley, Cambridge, CB 3 8AA, England

    P. P. G. Bateson

  2. Department of Zoology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27706, USA

    Peter H. Klopfer

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© 1987 Plenum Press, New York

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King, A.P., West, M.J. (1987). The Experience of Experience: An Exogenetic Program for Social Competence. In: Bateson, P.P.G., Klopfer, P.H. (eds) Perspectives in Ethology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1815-6_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1815-6_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9015-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-1815-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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