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The Proust effect and the evolution of a dual learning system

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 April 2009

Helena Matute  and
Miguel A. Vadillo
Helena Matute
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Deusto University, 48080 Bilbao, [email protected]://paginaspersonales.deusto.es/[email protected]://paginaspersonales.deusto.es/mvadillo
Miguel A. Vadillo
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Deusto University, 48080 Bilbao, [email protected]://paginaspersonales.deusto.es/[email protected]://paginaspersonales.deusto.es/mvadillo
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Abstract

Proust's madeleine illustrates the automatic nature of associative learning. Although we agree with Mitchell et al. that no compelling scientific proof for this effect has yet been reported in humans, evolutionary constraints suggest that it should not be discarded: There is no reason by which natural selection should favor individuals who lose a fast and automatic survival tool.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 32 , Issue 2 , April 2009 , pp. 215 - 216
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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