High-precision tracking of human foragers reveals adaptive social information use in the wild

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Source: Science Magazine

Original: https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.ady1055?af=R...

Published: 2026-01-29T08:00:00Z

A research team led by Ralf Kurvers used high-precision technology to track the decision-making processes of human foragers under real-world conditions.[7] The study combined precise field measurements with simulation models of decision-making processes, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional laboratory methods of cognitive psychology.[7] The researchers were inspired by methods used to study the collective behavior of animals, which routinely use cameras to automatically record behavior and GPS to continuously track the movements of larger groups.[7] A methodological approach combining field measurements with simulation-based models provides a blueprint for future studies of human cognition in real-world settings.[7] The research was published in the journal Science in January 2026.[7]