Data and R code from: Modelling the evolution of cognitive styles

Background Individuals consistently differ in behaviour, exhibiting
so-called personalities. In many species, individuals differ also in their
cognitive abilities. When personalities and cognitive abilities occur in
distinct combinations, they can be described as ‘cognitive styles’. Both
empirical and theoretical investigations produced contradicting or mixed
results regarding the complex interplay between cognitive styles and
environmental conditions. Results Here we use individual-based simulations
to show that, under just slightly different environmental conditions,
different cognitive styles exist and under a variety of conditions, can
also co-exist. Co-existences are based on individual specialization on
different resources, or, more generally speaking, on individuals adopting
different niches or microhabitats. Conclusions The results presented here
suggest that in many species, individuals of the same population may adopt
different cognitive styles. Thereby the present study may help to explain
the variety of styles described in previous studies and why different,
sometimes contradicting, results have been found under similar conditions.