The Effect of Learning on the Evolution of Asexual Populations

We study a model for the effect of learning on a population of asexually reproducing individuals . While current models are usually based on simulations of the actual hypothetical organisms, we adopt a classic population genetic approach, which deals directly with gene frequencies. This allows us to investigate the model in great detail, obtaining results which are difficult to obtain using other techniques . In particular, we demonstrate that learning has a drastic effect on evolution, as has already been noted by Hinton and Nowlan [3] using computer simulations. A detailed quantitative description of the temporal behavior of the model is also presented. In particular, an interesting interplay between mutation and learning is demonstrated.