Baldwin effect

the influence on intraspecies evolution of behavior change and learning. An individual member of the species acquires a new ability that enables better adaptation to the environment and hence increases probability of survival; the propensity for acquiring this characteristic is conferred in turn on descendants of that species member until a genetic variation occurs and the characteristic itself becomes hereditary. The Baldwin effect was originally called organic selection. [described in 1896 by James Mark Baldwin]

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Psychology term of the day

November 27th 2024

biological warfare

the use of agents such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins to incapacitate or destroy humans, nonhuman animals, or crops in war.