Further studies of reliance on socially acquired information when foraging in potentially risky situations

Results of three previous experiments conducted in our laboratory (Galef & Whiskin 2006, Animal Behaviour, 72, 1169–1176) failed to provide support for the prediction from formal theory that increasing the potential cost of engaging in individual learning increases reliance on socially acquired information. However, weaknesses in the data of each of the three experiment reported in Galef & Whiskin (2006) complicated interpretation of results. …