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Related Concept Videos

Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory01:26

Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory

Memory is one of the most vital higher mental functions of the brain. Memory is closely related to learning because it enables us to retain information and experiences from our past to use them in our present life. It also helps us to remember facts, events, and skills, such as riding a bike or swimming. There are two types of memory — declarative memory, which involves memorizing facts or events, and procedural memory, which enables us to remember how to do something like writing or playing an...
Introduction to Learning01:18

Introduction to Learning

Learning is the process of acquiring knowledge or skills through practice or experience, leading to long-lasting behavioral changes. This acquisition occurs through interaction with the environment and requires practice or experience. For instance, mastering a skill such as surfing requires considerable practice and experience, highlighting the essential role of repeated interactions with the environment in learning.
In contrast to learned behaviors, unlearned behaviors such as crying, sexual...
What is Variation?01:14

What is Variation?

Apart from the measures of central tendency, distribution, outliers, and the changing characteristics of data with time, an important characteristic of any data set is its variation or spread. In some data sets, the data values are concentrated closely near the mean; in others, the data values are more widely spread out from the mean.
The range, standard deviation, standard error, and variance are the different measures of variation.
Range: The range is the difference between its maximum and...
Neuroplasticity01:01

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.
Genetic Variation01:25

Genetic Variation

Genetic variation is the diversity in DNA sequences found among individuals of the same species. This diversity is crucial for a species' survival because it helps organisms adapt to environmental changes. Genetic variation begins with fertilization, where an egg and sperm cell merge. Each of these cells carries 23 chromosomes, up to 46 in the fertilized egg. Chromosomes are long DNA strands that contain genes, the basic units of heredity.
Genes exist in different versions called alleles, which...
Cognitive Learning01:21

Cognitive Learning

Cognitive learning is based on purposive behavior, incidental learning, and insight learning.
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Measuring Statistical Learning Across Modalities and Domains in School-Aged Children Via an Online Platform and Neuroimaging Techniques
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Natural variation in learning and memory.

Frederic Mery1

  • 1Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes et Spéciation, UPR 9034, CNRS 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France. Frederic.mery@legs.cnrs-gif.fr

Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|October 2, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Animal learning is crucial for adapting to changing environments. This review explores how an animal's lifestyle and ecological niche shape its learning and memory, influencing fitness and evolution.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Animal behavior

Background:

  • Learning and memory are vital for adaptation in diverse animal species.
  • While neurobiological mechanisms are well-studied, the adaptive significance of learning is a recent focus.
  • Understanding learning's role in fitness and its variation is key to cognitive evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent evidence on how ecological niche and lifestyle shape learning and memory.
  • To explore the fitness benefits and costs associated with learning.
  • To address questions about the evolution of learning ability and its ecological drivers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent evidence.
  • Synthesis of findings on learning, memory, and ecological factors.

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  • Conceptual framework integrating lifestyle, niche, and cognitive evolution.

    • Main Results:

    • Learning and memory are significantly molded by an animal's lifestyle and ecological niche.
    • Learning can enhance short-term performance and adaptation to environmental changes.
    • Variation in learning ability across individuals and species is linked to ecological pressures.

    Conclusions:

    • An animal's ecological niche is a primary driver in the evolution of its learning and memory capacities.
    • Investigating the interplay between lifestyle and cognition provides insights into animal adaptation and the evolution of intelligence.
    • Future research should focus on quantifying the fitness consequences of learning in natural settings.