Behavior
Cultural Transmission
The transfer of learned behaviors, knowledge, or traditions between individuals through social learning rather than genetic inheritance.
Biological Context
Whale songs change over time as innovations spread through populations. Tool use in chimpanzees varies by group. Bird dialects differ between regions. Cultural transmission enables rapid adaptation without genetic change but requires mechanisms to maintain useful traditions.
Business Application
Organizational culture transmits through observation, mentorship, and social norms. Understanding cultural transmission helps design onboarding, preserve institutional knowledge, and manage culture change.