Communication Flashcards
define communication
signal-reciever interactions using information transmissed via the external environment to alter reciever behaviour
define signal
an action or trait that alters the recipitent behaviour who coevolved that effect
define cue
an action or trait which a recipitnet may acquire information and make decisions that have not been slected for to alter behaviour i.e. eaves dropping
what is true communication
acts influencing behaviour of another which have evolved because of that effect and its effective because the recievers response has also evolved
what is cooperative cooperation
normally WITHIN species;
co evolution/adaptation leadings of production and comprehensions of mutually beneficial and effiicient communication in…
examples of cooperative cooperation
FORAGING; bee wiggle dance, food calls
SEX SELECTUION; peacock tail and bird songs
PREDATION: alarm calls, eye gazes
what is non cooperative communication
selfish, manipulative, deceptive
increase of signallers fitness at expense of each other
examples of non-cooperative cooperation
foraging: false alarm calls; ravens and capuchins
sneaky copulations
mimicry
what does human communication consist of
language
verbal signs
body language
gestures
facial expressions
human communication building blocks
- semantics
- learned/generative
- syntax
- intention to communicate (triadic communicaiton)
semantics
words have specific meaning
generative
words can be restructured to build sentences/larger meanings; unlimied number of novel signals with complex sentences; modify vocals and acqure/produce new vocals
syntax
hierarchy rules structures; infinite use of fintine meaning
combining phonmees–>words–> sentences
is lexical: recombiniation changes meaning
triadic communication
intention to inform others about external, non present entities
2 ways human language might have evolved
DISCONTINIOUS: language evolved noncontinious from others; emergent trait
CONTINIOUS: language builds on from other aspects of animal communicaiton systems
i.e. human ‘like’ lanauge capacities; bird songs (generative and learned) or priamtes?
what do primates have language wise
learning
gnerativitiy
semantics
synatx
but intentionality is questioned
testing: SEMANTICS in non-humans
vervets have predator calls (seyfarfth et al): leoaprds, snake, eagle etc.
these are functionallity referential (group members respond) and consist of a PRDOCUTION of a context-specific vocal where others PERCEPTION aligns with it
= impacted action: aerial and ground protection, + level of threat
- but are calls made with INTENTIOn to warn others or a reflexibe fear response
what other nonhuman animals hae semantics
diana monkeys
campbell monkeys
colobus monkeys
meerkats
ravens
dolphins
testing GENERATIVITY in mon humans
dolphins have names
birds can learn (especially in critical period)
captive orangutans can imitate human whisltinig
chimps use raspbeers to grab a keeper attention (but sounds arent vocalizations)
seals can imitate human songs (vocal learning)
controversies in ape learning: explanations
vicky the chimp; only spoke 4 words
explanation 1: apes lack anatomy
but Fitsch et al 2013 shows rhesus macques have the antomy (computer models of vocal cords)
explanation 2: apes lack the mental wiring
japanese rhesus macaques…
when crossfostered, dont adapt to new vocals of a new group
testing SYNATX
bird songs!: combine call units to form higher meaning (japanese blue tit: vocals combined to predator, attract mates, or attract conspecifics against predators)
campbell monkeys: add prefies or suffixes to change alarm call meaning
puttynosed monkey: combine vocals to form new meaning: pyog (leaoprd) + hack (eagle)= lets move
grice 1957
intentional communicaiton; deliberate target at an individual
requires understanding of recipitient and a behavioural change
intentioal communicaiton involves what?
voluntary control over signals
signals directed at specific individuals
goal directed
manipulate reciver and understand contedt `
testing voluntary control (of IC)
fixed signals vs flexible signals
audience effect= signals only produced if audience is there but this may be automatic (tomasello)
reciptient directed testing (of IC)
composition of audience;
i.e. chimp food only produce calls to friends and HR individuals (Schell et al 2013)
testing goal directed (of IC)
thomas langur alarm calls stop when all of the gorup is safe
chimps stop to produce snake alarm calls when everyone is safe
mental state attribution (of IC)
monkeys dont consider knoweldge of others BUT chimps do: tailor alarm calls according to what others chimps know (danger awarenss)
