Bees trained by scientists can teach each other new skills

Posted by john_mac on Wednesday October 05, 2016 @10:18AM
from the theverge.com dept.

http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/5/13171714/bee-trained-skills-teach-other-bees

( 2 comments | 15 points | on HN )

Re:Bees trained by scientists can teach each other new skills by gerbilly on Wednesday October 05, 2016 @11:37AM (#12644746)

This is known as observational learning.[1]

I.e learning behaviours by observing another animal be rewarded or punished for a behaviour.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Observational_learning

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Bees trained by scientists can teach each other new skills by veddox on Wednesday October 05, 2016 @03:55PM (#12647212)

Quite interesting to see this being done with bees, but the statement "The study [...] shows how animals may be able to able to pass on skills in a way we previously thought was largely exclusive to humans" is very misleading. Observational learning has been observed in many other animals before, humans aren't particularly special at all in that respect.

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