Learning and conformity are distinct processes, not interchangeable ones

Evidence

Whereas Allport used conformity and learning almost interchangeably, current researchers would say that the children’s awareness of the need to follow social rules may motivate them quickly to learn such rules, but that the two are distinct: learning is the acquisition of a novel response, whereas conformity is following the assumed rules. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 2001 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

This model makes a number of unrealistic simplifying assumptions in order to focus clearly on the effects of a temporally varying environment on the evolution of conformist transmission. The effects of relaxing some of these assumptions have been studied elsewhere (Boyd and Richerson 1985, 1989). Increasing the number of individuals available to imitate or increasing the number of traits increases the strength of the conformist effect at evolutionary equilibrium. … Other assumptions are essential to the structure of the model. For example, if individuals can learn, and facultatively use, the optimal behavior in each possible environment, then the central adaptive problem disappears, and there is no need for social learning. — Joe Henrich and Robert Boyd, The Evolution of Conformist…, 63 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Learning-by-alteration and actualizing-a-habit are two different kinds of transition — Catherine Malabou, The Future of Hegel: Plasticity,…, 445; Conformist transmission evolves robustly across far more conditions than heavy social learning does — Joe Henrich and Robert Boyd, The Evolution of Conformist…, 65; Learning and conformity are distinct psychological processes, not synonyms. (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Learning and conformity are distinct psychological processes #corroborates (1.00) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 2001
• Learning and conformity are distinct processes conflated by Allport #expands (0.92)
• No flexible-learning scenario eliminates the adaptive need for conformity. #complicates (0.80) — Joe Henrich and Robert Boyd, The Evolution of Conformist…, 63
• Learning becomes systematic only when applied reflexively to itself #complicates (0.75) — Niklas Luhmann, Trust and Power, 249