Human vs animal communication

Question 1

what are the 4 functions of animal communication

Answer 1

-food
-territory
-reproduction
survival

Question 2

why do animals communicate for food give an example (2)

Answer 2

• they make signals to draw attention to food sources

- they use pheromones to leave a trail for animals to follow

Question 3

why do animals communicate for survival give an example (2)

Answer 3

• to increase survival rate of animal and their offspring

- they sound alarms when a predator is nearby increasing rate of survival

Question 4

why do animals communicate for reproduction give an example (2)

Answer 4

• animals show mating displays to signal they’re ready to reproduce
• mating displays show genetic fitness, which other animals want to increase the rate of survival of offspring

Question 5

why do animals communicate for territory give an example (2)

Answer 5

• they mark their territory by natural scents like urine and faeces
• discourages animals from entering because it would start a fight, decreasing survival rates

Question 6

what are 3 properties of human communication not present in animal communication

Answer 6

• planning ahead and discussing the future
• creativity
• single vs multiple channels

Question 7

how does communication differ in terms of planning ahead and discussing future events (2)

Answer 7

• we talk about things that aren’t present (displacement)

- animals focus on things in the present like food and predators

Question 8

how does communication differ in terms of creativity

Answer 8

• human language is open, different words can be combined to give different meanings
• animals are restricted, all gestures, sounds or movements relate to one meaning

Question 9

how does communication differ in terms of single vs multichannel

Answer 9

• humans can communicate a message in different ways eg speaking, writing, texting
• animals are limited to one form eg ants can only use pheromones to show where food is, they can’t text