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Hunter-Gatherers and Learning in Nature

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Social Learning and Innovation in Contemporary Hunter-Gatherers

Part of the book series: Replacement of Neanderthals by Modern Humans Series ((RNMH))

Abstract

What brought about the evolution of modern behavior in Homo sapiens and how does their learning ability relate to that evolution? In this chapter, I will explore the characteristics of the learning behavior of modern humans, in particular the foundation of creative and innovative learning that has been indispensable for human cultural evolution during the last part of the glacial epochs. After discussing some crucial points of human development patterns and social learning, I will investigate the beginning of symbolic art and the development of Homo sapiens’ relationship with the natural world, drawing on the relationship between contemporary hunter-gatherers and wild animals. Then I will propose a hunter-gatherer learning model in nature that depicts the foundation for continuous learning and creative activities among them. Careful attention to nature and wild animals combined with artistic motivation and communicative ability might have strongly enhanced the learning capacity and advanced the cultural evolution of Homo sapiens.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe, Japan

    Hideaki Terashima

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  1. Hideaki Terashima
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  1. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe, Japan

    Hideaki Terashima

  2. Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA, USA

    Barry S. Hewlett

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Terashima, H. (2016). Hunter-Gatherers and Learning in Nature. In: Terashima, H., Hewlett, B.S. (eds) Social Learning and Innovation in Contemporary Hunter-Gatherers. Replacement of Neanderthals by Modern Humans Series. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55997-9_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55997-9_22

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