Social learning in animals is said to occur when direct or indirect

Question

Social learning in animals is said to occur when direct or indirect social interaction facilitates the acquisition of a novel behavior. It usually takes the form of an experienced animal (the demonstrator) performing a behavior such that the native animal (the observer) subsequently expresses the same behavior sooner, or more completely, than it would have otherwise. One example of social learning is the acquisition of preferences for novel foods.

Some experiments have suggested that among mammals, social learning facilitates the identification of beneficial food items, but that among birds, social learning helps animals avoid toxic substances. For example, one study showed that when red-wing blackbirds observed others consuming a colored food or a food in a distinctly marked container and then becoming ill, they subsequently avoided food associated with that color or container. Another experiment showed that house sparrows consumed less red food after they observed others eating red food that was treated so as to be noxious. Studies on non-avian species have not produced similar results, leading researchers to speculate that avian social learning may be fundamentally different from that of mammals.

But Sherwin's recent experiments with domestic hens do not support the notion that avian social learning necessarily facilitates aversion to novel foods that are noxious or toxic. Even when demonstrator hens reacted with obvious disgust to a specific food, via vigorous head shaking and bill wiping, there was no evidence that observers subsequently avoided eating that food. Sherwin's research team speculated that ecological or social constraints during the evolution of this species might have resulted in there being little benefit from the social learning of unpalatability, for instance, selective pressures for this mode of learning would be reduced if the birds rarely encountered noxious or toxic food or rarely interacted after eating such food, or if the consequences of ingestion were minimal. In a related experiment the same researchers showed that if observer hens watched demonstrator hens react favorably to food of a particular color, then observer hens ate more food of that color than they ate of food of other colors. These results confirmed that avian species can develop preferences for palatable food through social learning.   1 
 1. The primary purpose of the passage is to discuss the

(A) techniques used in certain experiments on social learning in birds
(B) reasons for the differences between social learning in birds and in mammals
(C) question of how social learning manifests itself in birds
(D) basis for a widespread belief about a difference in behavior between birds and mammals
(E) possible reasons why birds may or may not learn from each other in a particular way

2 
 2. According to the passage, which of the following is true of the experiments on domestic hens conducted by Sherwin's research team?

(A) Only a small number of observer hens appeared to learn to avoid food that was demonstrated by other hens to be noxious.
(B) Observer hens ingested food preferentially only after numerous instances of witnessing demonstrator hens preferentially ingest that type of food.
(C) Observer hens appeared unable to recognize when demonstrator hens found a particular food especially palatable.
(D) Demonstrator hens reacted adversely to ingesting certain novel foods.
(E) Demonstrator hens altered their behavior less obviously in response to noxious foods than in response to highly palatable foods.

3 
 3. It can be inferred that the author of the passage would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements regarding the results of the recent experiments conducted by Sherwin's research team?

(A) The experiments demonstrate that social learning in avian species facilitates the identification of noxious or toxic foods.
(B) The experiments suggest that social learning has made avian species less adept than nonavian species at learning to prefer beneficial foods and avoid noxious and toxic foods.
(C) The experiments undermine the notion that most avian species have evolved in environments where there is little benefit to the social learning of unpalatability.
(D) The experiments suggest that the acquisition of food preferences in avian species is largely unaffected by social learning.
(E) The experiments show that social learning in avian species can promote the preferential consumption of beneficial foods but do not support the claim that social learning in avian species promotes the avoidance of noxious or toxic foods.

4 
 4. Which of the following best describes the main purpose of the first paragraph of the passage?

(A) It explains why a particular behavior discussed in the remainder of the passage is beneficial to the animals that engage in it.
(B) It introduces a concept that has been widely misunderstood among nonscientists.
(C) It outlines the types of studies that have been conducted to investigate a certain animal behavior.
(D) It provides information necessary to understand the nature of the phenomenon discussed in the remainder of the passage.
(E) It describes a viewpoint that is called into question later in the passage.

5 
 5. According to the passage, Sherwin’s research team speculated that the social learning of unpalatability within a particular species might be discouraged if the animals 
 
(A) did not suffer serious effects from any noxious or toxic foods they ingested
(B) consumed food in small quantities throughout the day rather than in a few large feedings
(C) had an unusually large variety of foods available to them
(D) interacted after feeding as well as during feeding
(E) did not show signs of illness until considerable time had passed following the ingestion of noxious or toxic food

6 
 6. The passage indicates that which of the following is true about studies of social learning in mammals? 
 
(A) Such studies have only rarely demonstrated a capacity among mammals to learn to prefer certain foods via observation of other animals.
(B) Such studies have suggested that in mammals one function of social learning is to establish preferences for novel foods.
(C) Such studies have demonstrated some capacity among mammals to learn via observation of other animals to avoid ingestion of toxic substances.
(D) Such studies have been conducted primarily in the mammals’ natural habitats rather than in laboratory settings.
(E) Such studies have focused primarily on forms of social learning other than the acquisition of preferences for novel foods.

GMATNinjaTwo · Accepted Answer

Refer to the third paragraph:
 
The italicized portions support choice D:
 
Even though the second italicized portion does not specifically use the word "novel", we can infer based on the context provided in the previous sentence that the author is referring to "novel foods that are noxious or toxic". More importantly, we can eliminate all of the other answer choices, including choice E:
 
Refer to the following portion of the passage...
 
All we know is that the demonstrator hens reacted favorably to foods of a particular color. We can infer, based on the context provided in the following sentence, that those foods were palatable (perhaps "highly palatable"?), but we have no idea whether the favorable reactions of the demonstrator hens were more or less obvious than the demonstrator hens' reactions to noxious foods. In other words, all we know is that the demonstrator hens reacted favorably, but we do not know how or to what extent those hens reacted.

GMATPill · Answer

1. C

I saw a lot of confusion in the message board. Some one even listed the OA as E - but I looked around and seemed to find the source where the answer was C which was my opinion.

This is a "primary purpose" question so you need to connect the dots. That is one of the main strategies I teach and actually show in my videos. Very difficult to do with text but I'll try here.

Social learning definition
 ->One Example
 ->Some experiments: Mammals (identification of good foods), BUT for birds it's identifying BAD foods
 ->Another experiment: confirmed the above, social learning helps birds AVOID BAD food

->BUT Sherwin's experiment, no support for above hypothesis. Does NOT help birds AVOID BAD food (at least among certain specifies)
 ->In related experiment, birds (hens in this case) FAVOR GOOD food through social learning

Seems like author was trying to figure out how exactly social learning works for birds. Does it help them AVOID BAD food, or does it help them IDENTIFY GOOD FOOD. For some species, it's the first. For others it's the second. SO, what is the primary purpose of the passage?

Well, I outlined the passage above - this is what should go on in your HEAD as you read the passage. It just took a lot more effort to write it out- but this process should occur very fast in your head if you are reading correctly.

Notice that to qualify as a correct answer for a "Primary Purpose" question, it needs to connect all the dots of the passage summary.

I'll address E. It's true the passage jumps back and forth whether birds MAY or MAY NOT learn from each other. Does social learning apply when avoiding bad food? sometimes yes, sometimes no. Does it apply when identifying good food? yes and no. But the author is not in search of REASONS why this is the case. Merely finding instances of yes vs no and stating the experiment and presenting the information. Yes, some amount of "reasons" were provided such as the evolution of the species and how some species had more ingestion concerns than others. But that is a DETAIL. So, not only is this detailed stuff that might not allow us to connect the dots of the pasage, but it also uses the word "REASONS" which the passage certainly doesn't spend A LOT of time doing. If that were the primary purpose, we would have reasons presented in every paragraph of the passage - but this is not the case.

The others you should be able to eliminate. But you'll see that C - "discuss the question of how social learning manifests itself in birds".  Yes, the author is presenting information about how social learning works for birds (not reasons whether they may or may not learn (E). How does it work for birds? Well for some birds, it helps them avoid bad foods. For others, it helps them identify good foods. That's how "social learning" is manifested in birds, manifested by the information/experiments the author cites.

voodoochild · Answer

According to the passage, which of the following is true of the experiments on domestic hens conducted by Sherwin's research team?
(A)Only a small number of observer hens appeared to learn to avoid food that was demonstrated by other hens to be noxious.
(B)Observer hens ingested food preferentially only after numerous instances of witnessing demonstrator hens preferentially ingest that type of food.
(C)Observer hens appeared unable to recognize when demonstrator hens found a particular food especially palatable.
(D)Demonstrator hens reacted adversely to ingesting certain novel foods.
(E)Demonstrator hens altered their behavior less obviously in response to noxious foods than in response to highly palatable foods.

Why is D incorrect?

KarishmaB · Answer

I will not mark D as the right answer because of two reasons:

1. (E) is obviously something that you can conclude from the experiments. Hence, E is certainly fine.

2. The words chosen for D aren't the most appropriate. The hens reacted with disgust. 'Adverse reaction' means 'unexpected result that causes significant or life threatening conditions'. The passage only says they reacted with disgust. We don't know if there were any repercussions of ingesting that food. Also, they reacted with disgust to novel foods that were noxious/toxic. 'certain novel foods' is not clear enough. That said, if I were making the passage, I would probably not put D as is as one of the options since 'reacting adversely' could be construed as 'reacting with disgust' and 'certain novel foods' could point to 'novel food that were noxious/toxic'. But given that the question is what it is, (E) is true but (D) could imply something we don't know to be true.

AryamaDuttaSaikia · Answer

Question No 2 -

It is mentioned in the third paragraph - That demonstrator hens reacted with "obvious disgust" to a specific food (unpalatability) while in a related experiment demonstrator hens "react favorably"(This process results in observer hens develop preferenes for palatable food through social learning).

This understanding is mentioned in option E in which it is stated that demostrator hens will less obviously change in reponse to noxious foods (unpalatability) than in response to highly palatable foods. 
Hope it helps!

Skywalker18 · Answer

Took 8 mins and 30 seconds

, including 3 mins to read -The author is primarily concerned with social learning in birds - He describes experiments conducted to determine how social learning manifests itself in avian species 1. Answer C 2. Answer E 3. It can be inferred… "Sherwin’s research team speculated that ecological or social constraints during the evolution of this species might have resulted in there being little benefit from the social learning of unpalatability " AND "These results confirmed that avian species can develop preferences for palatable food through social learning" Option (E) clearly describes the above two excerpts and is therefore correct.

keats · Answer

The OA to Q 2 is NOT E. I encountered this question in my GMAT Prep mock today and the software shows the correct answer as (D). The original poster has not transcribed the problem options correctly.

(D) Demonstrator hens reacted adversely to ingesting certain novel foods.

Now can anyone explain me why (E) is incorrect!

I hope someone takes the courage to answer this now. Thanks!

nickimonckom · Answer

Hi,

I am sorry to disturb you with this so commented yet text but I need to throw the light on a specific problem with the QUESTION 2 :

The answer E is clearly stated on the text and each member of the discussion seems agree on this answer, but OA is D.

Now my question : What is wrong with E, and what makes D correct ?

Thank you in advance for your kind help, 
Nicolas

anairamitch1804 · Answer

1)
A. techniques used in certain experiments on social learning in birds 
There is a lot of discussion of experiments, but notice, the results are discussed more than are the techniques. 
B. reasons for the differences between social learning in birds and in mammals 
Only that they "may be fundamentally different" is mentioned. There is no discussion of the reasons for any differences. This answer could trap someone who is just going with what sounds right. Mammals and birds are mentioned and reasons for differences in social learning among birds are mentioned. So as usual you have to be careful and really notice what is being said and what is not being said in order to get this question right. 
C. question of how social learning manifests itself in birds 
There is extensive discussion of this topic. Different kinds of birds and their particular types of social learning are discussed. In fact, the passage is mostly about a particular question, the question of whether birds can, like mammals, "can develop preferences for palatable food through social learning." While this answer choice does not say that exactly, it is the choice closest to what the passage is about. 
D. basis for a widespread belief about a difference in behavior between birds and mammals 
The basis, some experiments, for the belief that mammals and birds learn different things from each other about food is discussed, but much more is going on. 
E. possible reasons why birds may or may not learn from each other in a particular 
way. This is only briefly discussed in the part about chickens. 
The correct answer is C.
2)
A. Only a small number of observer hens appeared to learn to avoid food that was 
demonstrated by other hens to be noxious. - Incorrect. It is not shown that even a small number of observer hens appeared to learn to avoid food. 
B. Observer hens ingested food preferentially only after numerous instances of 
witnessing demonstrator hens preferentially ingest that type of food. - Incorrect. Nothing like this is indicated in the passage. 
C. Observer hens appeared unable to recognize when demonstrator hens found a 
particular food especially palatable. - Incorrect. Again, nothing like this is indicated. In fact, the passage does not indicate any difficulty in recognition by observer hens. 
D. Demonstrator hens reacted adversely to ingesting certain novel foods. - Correct. Refer to the following lines. Even when demonstrator hens reacted with obvious disgust to a specific food, via vigorous head shaking and bill wiping 
E. Demonstrator hens altered their behavior less obviously in response to noxious 
foods than in response to highly palatable foods. - Incorrect. Quite the contrary. It is shown that demonstrator hens nade their body language very clear when given noxious food. 
Answer: 
3)It can be inferred…
"Sherwin’s research team speculated that ecological or social constraints during the evolution of this species might have resulted in there being little benefit from the social learning of unpalatability "
AND
"These results confirmed that avian species can develop preferences for palatable food through social learning"
Option (E) clearly describes the above two excerpts and is therefore correct.

BillyZ · Answer

GMATNinjaTwo  Could you help with Q1?

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to discuss the

(A) techniques used in certain experiments on social learning in birds
(B) reasons for the differences between social learning in birds and in mammals
(C)  question  of how social learning manifests itself in birds
(D) basis for a widespread belief about a difference in behavior between birds and mammals
(E) possible reasons why birds may or may not learn from each other in a particular way

GMATNinjaTwo · Answer

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to discuss the

(A) techniques used in certain experiments on social learning in birds -   The author discusses the results of several experiments but is not primarily concerned with the techniques used in those experiments.  
(B) reasons for the differences between social learning in birds and in mammals -   The author states "that avian social learning may be fundamentally different from that of mammals" but does not get into the REASONS for the differences. The author discusses possible reasons for differences between hens and other birds, but even that would not represent the primary purpose of the passage.  
(C) question of how social learning manifests itself in birds -   How does social learning manifest itself in birds? The passage discusses several examples and experiments related to that question, so choice (C) looks good.  
(D) basis for a widespread belief about a difference in behavior between birds and mammals -   The author refers to some experiments highlighting the differences in behavior between birds and mammals, but there is no mention of a "widespread belief about a difference."  
(E) possible reasons why birds may or may not learn from each other in a particular way. -   Again, the author discusses possible reasons for the differences between hens and other birds, but that does not represent the primary purpose of the passage.

Choice (C) is the best answer.

NandishSS · Answer

HI  GMATNinja  ,  mikemcgarry  ,  egmat  ,  sayantanc2k ,  RonPurewal  ,  DmitryFarber  ,  MagooshExpert  (Carolyn),  ccooley  ,  GMATNinja Two ,  SarahPurewal  ,  EMPOWERgmatVerbal

Why is A wrong? Is it not Social learning is introduced and how Avians are followed?

POE please

Can you Please explain why is C Wrong?

MagooshExpert · Answer

Hi NandishSS !

You are correct that the first paragraph here is introducing social learning. However, it does not explain why social learning is beneficial to avians . That comes later in the passage -- the first paragraph simply explains what social learning is. So we can't say that the primary purpose of the first paragraph is to explain why social learning is beneficial to avians, because that isn't mentioned until later. Instead, the first paragraph is providing necessary information for us to understand the rest of the passage (D). The relevant part of the passage is here: To answer this question, all we have to do is find which answer choice is mentioned here, which is A (bolded in the passage). We can eliminate B-E simply because they are not mentioned here at all. Let's first look at the relevant part of the passage: This is really the only part of the passage that talks about social learning among mammals. The rest of the passage is talking exclusively about birds. So we just have to pick the answer choice which matches this sentence, which is B (identifying beneficial food items = establishing preferences for certain foods). The passage doesn't talk at all about mammals avoiding toxic foods, only identifying beneficial foods. So C is not supported by the passage. Does that make sense? I hope that helps!!

-Carolyn

shahafstein · Answer

I think i got the problem with question (2).

I also chose E but i see my mistake now - this answer states that the demonstrator(!) hens altered their behavior... Do remember that with social learning, the wanted affect is for the "observers" to change their behavior, not the "demonstrators". Moreover, in the experiment, Sherwin's team wanted to see a change in the observing hens' behavior, and doesn't say anything about changes in the behavior of hens who ate noxious/tasty food.

Where as with answer choice D, we cannot argue about the fact that the demonstrator hens (the ones who actually did the eating) reacted in a bad way to some of the new food (novel food). From the text: " Even when demonstrator hens reacted with obvious disgust to a specific food".

therefor answer choice D is correct, and not E.

P.S if in answer choice E it would have said "The observer hens altered..." that would probably be the correct answer

XavierAlexander · Answer

Bunuel

Three missing official ques. Please add.

Which of the following best describes the main purpose of the first paragraph of the passage?

It explains why a particular behavior discussed in the remainder of the passage is beneficial to the animals that engage in it.
  
 It introduces a concept that has been widely misunderstood among nonscientists.
  
 It outlines the types of studies that have been conducted to investigate a certain animal behavior.
  
 It provides information necessary to understand the nature of the phenomenon discussed in the remainder of the passage.
  
 It describes a viewpoint that is called into question later in the passage.

Answer:  D

According to the passage, Sherwin’s research team speculated that the social learning of unpalatability within a particular species might be discouraged if the animals

did not suffer serious effects from any noxious or toxic foods they ingested
  
  consumed food in small quantities throughout the day rather than in a few large feedings
  
  had an unusually large variety of foods available to them
  
  interacted after feeding as well as during feeding
  
  did not show signs of illness until considerable time had passed following the ingestion of noxious or toxic food

Answer:  A

The passage indicates that which of the following is true about studies of social learning in mammals?

Such studies have only rarely demonstrated a capacity among mammals to learn to prefer certain foods via observation of other animals.
  
  Such studies have suggested that in mammals one function of social learning is to establish preferences for novel foods.
  
  Such studies have demonstrated some capacity among mammals to learn via observation of other animals to avoid ingestion of toxic substances.
  
  Such studies have been conducted primarily in the mammals’ natural habitats rather than in laboratory settings.
  
  Such studies have focused primarily on forms of social learning other than the acquisition of preferences for novel foods.

Answer:  B

Harsh2111s · Answer

Correct answer mentioned here is "D".

I also marked E. Can you explain ?

tkorzhan18 · Answer

Hi.

Could you please explain why B is not correct in this case for Q2?

bM22 · Answer

Hi  tkorzhan18 ,

What's mentioned in the passage is : "Even when demonstrator hens reacted with obvious disgust to a specific food, via vigorous head shaking and bill wiping, there was no evidence that observers subsequently avoided eating that food.". B is clearly opposite of what's mentioned in the passage.

and the line : "In a related experiment the same researchers showed that if observer hens watched demonstrator hens react favorably to food of a particular color, then observer hens ate more food of that color than they ate of food of other colors.", doesn't imply that the observer hens consumed the food only after numerous instances of witnessing demonstrator hens.

Hope This Helps.
Thanks.

randarth · Answer

The passage says that the is no evidence there was no evidence that observers subsequently avoided eating that food!!!! So that means the hens might have actually eaten it rather than behaving adversely towards it
 GMATNinjaTwo   GMATNinja

Social learning in animals is said to occur when direct or indirect

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Social learning in animals is said to occur when direct or indirect

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards