Cultural Evolution

Cultural evolution studies how cultural traits—like melodies, language, or problem-solving strategies—change over time through processes of transmission and adaptation. Current research uses computational models, including iterated learning frameworks and reinforcement learning agents with generational structures, to investigate how biases are amplified, cultural accumulation occurs, and efficient systems emerge. This work sheds light on fundamental aspects of human culture, informs the development of more robust and adaptable artificial intelligence, and offers new insights into the dynamics of cultural change and bias.