Human vs Animal communication Flashcards
what is Animal communication
the exchange of information between animals (including humans) within the same species using a variety of signals. Some of these signals are vocal but some are visual or involve smell
What is language
A communication system unique to humans. It consists of a set of arbitary conventional symbols through which meaning is conveyed. These symbols can be combined in such a way that infinite number of novel messages can be produced.
how do animals use communication for repreduction?
Animals use mating displays.
Peacocks stretch their feathers like an umbrella to attract females.
Mating displays communicate genetic fitness through brightly coloured and plentiful feathers.
how do animals use communication for survival?
Vervet monkeys use sounds to warn of danger (alarm calls). A specific sound warns other monkeys close by.
Rabbits use visual signals. They lift their tail high, pin ears back and leap forward to communicate danger to other rabbits.
These signals increase the survival of members of the signaller’s species.
how do animals use communication for food?
Animals use signals to show location of food.
Ants leave a pheromone trail to communicate the location of a food source.
how do animals use communication for territory?
Animals mark territory through spreading scents.
Rhinos produce 20–30 piles of dung to communicate that an area is occupied.
This has evolutionary value as it takes less energy than fighting.
how can humans show creativity
Animal communication involves a closed system as the gestures, sounds and movements only refer to very specific events.
Human language is an open system as words can be combined together in an infinite number of ways.
This means that human communication has endless potential, i.e. it is creative.
how can humans plan ahead and discuss future events
Humans can use their language to plan ahead and discuss future events (displacement).
In contrast, animal communication tends to focus on things that are physically present in the environment, such as food sources or predators.
Therefore, displacement is not a part of animal communication in the same way as it is part of human communication.
how can humans use multiple channels
Human language can be expressed using a whole range of different channels such as spoken, written or sign language and all of the different types of social media.
This is not a feature of animal communication which tends to use single channels such as pheromones.
