From: Zardoz ® 22/09/2001 20:04:35 Subject: re: inherited memories post id: 423978 The Baldwin Effect: The Baldwin effect concerns the trade-offs (the costs and benefits) of learning, in the context of evolution. The Baldwin effect should be of interest to: those who are doing research on Genetic Algorithm / Neural Net (GANN) hybrids or other Genetic Algorithm / Learning Algorithm hybrids those with an interest in Evolutionary Psychology and the relations among learning, instinct, and evolution researchers in machine learning, genetic algorithms, neural networks, evolutionary theory, and cognitive science In 1896, James Mark Baldwin proposed that individual learning can explain evolutionary phenomena that appear to require Lamarckian inheritance of acquired characteristics. The ability of individuals to learn can guide the evolutionary process. In effect, learning smoothes the fitness landscape, thus facilitating evolution. Baldwin further proposed that abilities that initially require learning are eventually replaced by the evolution of genetically determined systems that do not require learning. Thus learned behaviours may become instinctive behaviours in subsequent generations, without appealing to Lamarckian inheritance. http://extractor.iit.nrc.ca/baldwin/introduction.html http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/sep99/937973998.Gb.r.html This forum is un-moderated. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual poster and not the ABC. The ABC reserves the right to remove offensive or inappropriate messages.