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Can reinforcement learning explain variation in early infant crying?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 February 2005

Arnon Lotem  and
David W. Winkler
Arnon Lotem*
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv69978, Israelhttp://www.tau.ac.il/~lotem
David W. Winkler*
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853http://www.es.cornell.edu/winkler/winkler.html
*
lotem@post.tau.ac.il
dww4@cornell.edu
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Abstract:

We welcome Soltis' use of evolutionary signaling theory, but question his interpretations of colic as a signal of vigor and his explanation of abnormal high-pitched crying as a signal of poor infant quality. Instead, we suggest that these phenomena may be suboptimal by-products of a generally adaptive learning process by which infants adjust their crying levels in relation to parental responsiveness.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 27 , Issue 4 , August 2004 , pp. 468
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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