Animal Communication Flashcards
0
Q
Definition of communication?
A
The process in which actors use specially designed signals or displays to modify the behaviour if reactors (kerbs and Davies 1993)
1
Q
What is communication?
A
Darwin 1872
- the expressions of the emotions in man and animals
- no real focus in communication of cognition
- more on the inevitably if mind/ emotion
2
Q
Ecological constraints?
A
The communicative modality depends on ecology in ant species
3
Q
What are ecological constraints?
A
- leptothorax spp. Fed on large dead beetles that need two ants to carry
- go back to best and recruit another ant by regurgitation
- lead helper to good site by tandem running
4
Q
What are reciever constraints?
A
The senses of the reciever also constrain in the evolution of the signal
5
Q
How do these behaviours become signals?
A
Through ritualisation
- behaviour becomes highly stereotyped, repetitive, exaggerated
6
Q
What are the three hypotheses about ritualisation?
A
- Reduction if ambiguity
- Manipulation
- honesty
7
Q
Reduction of ambiguity
A
- ritualised signals may be less ambiguous, greater clarity of signal
8
Q
Manipulation
A
- signallers must benefit from signalling
- evolutionary arms race between actor and reciever
- signal gets louder as process goes on
9
Q
Honesty
A
- Zahavi handicap hypothesis
- ritiualisation allows signals to become reliable signals of quality
10
Q
Can communication involved cognition?
A
Yes
11
Q
How does language differ from animal communication?
A
- intentionality
- complexity
- productivity
- social sciences view
- forms core of human culture
