Introduction

Everybody learns from experience. Cats and dogs do it, and for humans it is our first form of learning, arguably starting while we are still in the womb and observable from the first few hours after birth. During the early years of life until we start school, experience is much the greatest teacher, when we do things ourselves and we watch the consequences of what other people do. From then onwards, well into normal old age, our actions and thoughts are influenced by our experiences.