Abstract
Animals are predicted to selectively observe and learn from the conspecifics with whom they share social connections. Yet, hardly anything is known about the role of different connections in observation and learning. To address the relationships between social connections, observation and learning, we investigated transmission of information in two raven (Corvus corax) groups. First, we quantified social connections in each group by constructing networks on affiliative interactions, aggressive interactions and proximity. We then seeded novel information by training one group member on a novel task and allowing others to observe. In each group, an observation network based on who observed whose task-solving behaviour was strongly correlated with networks based on affiliative interactions and proximity. Ravens with high social centrality (strength, eigenvector, information centrality) in the affiliative interaction network were also central in the observation network, possibly as a result of solving the task sooner. Network-based diffusion analysis revealed that the order that ravens first solved the task was best predicted by connections in the affiliative interaction network in a group of subadult ravens, and by social rank and kinship (which influenced affiliative interactions) in a group of juvenile ravens. Our results demonstrate that not all social connections are equally effective at predicting the patterns of selective observation and information transmission.
Highlights
Inferences about group transmission can only be made when naive individuals have the option of choosing which informed conspecifics to observe and learn from [25,26]
A similar selectivity may exist in a group, leading to ravens selectively attending to and acquiring information from their affiliates. This would result in correlations between the networks based on positive social connections, such as affiliative interaction and physical proximity networks, and both the observation network and the order in which the task solution is performed by group members
We predicted that ravens with high social centrality in affiliative interaction and proximity networks will solve the task sooner than their less central conspecifics, providing further evidence that positive social connections are influential in observation and transmission
Summary
Inferences about group transmission can only be made when naive individuals have the option of choosing which informed conspecifics to observe and learn from [25,26]. A similar selectivity may exist in a group, leading to ravens selectively attending to and acquiring information from their affiliates This would result in correlations between the networks based on positive social connections, such as affiliative interaction and physical proximity networks, and both the observation network and the order in which the task solution is performed by group members. We predicted that ravens with high social centrality in affiliative interaction and proximity networks will solve the task sooner than their less central conspecifics, providing further evidence that positive social connections are influential in observation and transmission. We used OADA to determine whether networks based on positive social connections reliably predict information transmission If this is the case, the naive individuals who are connected to informed group members in the affiliative interaction and proximity networks should learn the solution sooner than those who are not connected to informed group members
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