Allocation of skills and functions to the mimicry / apprenticeship mechanisms

These are the skills that are learned by mimicking an adult individual. This kind of learning by mimicry is likely illustrated after imprinting. There are other examples associated with packs and herds.

We illustrate with international folk dancing, where most of the dances are still taught by relying mostly on mimicry.

Parts of the mechanism for evolution:

1. Decrease variation: selection of master / teacher
2. Increase variation: incorporation of material from experimental discovery & learning by the teacher
3. Copy:
   1. Simultaneous mimicry (shadowing)
   2. Performance of learned behaviour without visual observation of a simultaneous performance by the master

Skills: to model as illustration

1. Folkdancing: sequential and layered mimicry

Prerequisites for the mechanisms and processes of evolution:

1. Cooperation:
   • master - apprentice
2. eye-hand and eye-foot coordination
3. ear to throat & mouth coordination for communication & speech production

Mimicry-based functions for subsequent skills:

1. Childhood babbling gradually converted to speech sounds and singing by mimicking sounds made by adults.
2. Pointing and sounding out - learning names of objects by mimicry.
3. Communication - both reception and emission - required for cooperation
4. Timing - selection, starting, and stopping skills - for cooperation
5. Tool use
6. Tool manufacture and maintenance