Communication

Question 1

Audience effect + Examples

Answer 1

Impact a passive audience has on a subject performing a task.

Adjustment of signalling to bystanders
- Depending on identity and attention state of bystanders

Examples:

• Vervet monkeys unlikely to elicit alarm call when solitary.
• Food calls in ravens decrease when number of conspecifics increases.

Question 2

Eavesdropping

Answer 2

Collection of information as bystander

Question 3

Methods for studying cognitive aspects of communication - Sender

Answer 3

Distinction of mental processes in sender and receiver

a) Test order of applied intentionality in sender
- Manipulate motivation to call (e.g. predator type)
- Test audience effect: Does sender adjust their calls according to presence of conspecifics and their perspective?

Question 4

Methods for studying cognitive aspects of communication - Receiver

Answer 4

Distinction of mental processes in sender and receiver

b) Test order of applied intentionality in receiver
Alter calls according to:
- Structure (sound of call, order of intentionality)
- Response urgency (arousal state)
- Meaning (Habituation/Dishabituation paradigm)
and observe receiver’s behaviour.

Question 5

Orders of intentionality

Answer 5

0-order: No intention to communicate, arousal
1st-order: To affect others’ behaviour
2nd-order: To affect others’ mental state (e.g. deception)

Question 6

Functional referential signals

- Def.

Answer 6

Classification of signals according to information type (self- vs. other-reporting)

• Given in response to environment
• Other-reporting: Info about sender AND environment
  > Sender: ID, age, sex
  > Environment:
  Alarm calls (predator around)
  Food calls (food around)
  Social calls (conspecifics around)

Question 7

Functional referential signals

- Criteria

Answer 7

• Distinct acoustic structure
• Response to particular external event/object
• Elicit similar response in receiver as external event/object normally does

Question 8

Signal vs. Cue

Answer 8

Signal
= Vehicle for transmitting information
- Given actively
- Benefit sender

Cue
= Contains information
- NOT actively given
- Not necessarily of advantage to sender

Question 9

Communication

- Def.

Answer 9

One party transmits information (sender) that can be used by another party (receiver) to make a decision.