L3-Evolution Flashcards
Variation
Differences in genetics, traits
Differential reproduction
Individuals with specific traits have better survival prospects in environment than individuals with other traits (e.g. advantage of being less visible)
Heredity
Traits are passed to offspring
Natural selection
Survival of the fittest
Adaptation
adjustment of organisms to their environment in order to improve their chances of survival in that environment
Baldwin effect
Behavioural trait of a population provides an advantage for population such that this behaviour is taught to offspring and becomes part of the population’s genes.
Singing ape
During the vocalization of the homo habilis, singing abilities were preferred for sexual selection and taught to offspring. This led to the adaptation of the whole population towards better singing abilities.
Vocal calls
Foundation of music and language ability, whereas only language was an adaptation.
Evolutionary linguistics
Study of language as the result of biological evolutionary processes
Comparative linguistics
Studies relationships between languages, traces back family trees of languages and tries to find a common ancestor
Language as a Spandrel
Language was (at the beginning) rather a by-product of cognitive modules coming together, not a direct product of selection. (Spandrel=Parts come together which are not relevant for structure but instead a by-product)
Cognitive niche
Cognitive adaptation that guarantees our survival
traits of cognitive niche (3)
Intelligence: understanding of the world enabled us to create tools
Sociability: collaboration with unrelated others for our own benefit
Language: ability to share knowledge and unlimited information from limited elements
Machine learning & language (2)
Individual learning by observing other agents
Instance-based learning: generalise to new information from stored knowledge
Network models: network of how individual language learning occurs-
Multi-agent-modelling & language
Model how language exists in a group
Evolutionary computation
Computational simulation of biological evolution of agents
Icon
Similarity between a token and object (e.g.: copy)
Index
Physical or temporary connection between a token and object (e.g.: calls for objects)
Symbol
More complex relationship between tokens and its use (e.g.: words referring to objects)
(widely accepted) Preadaptations for language(4)
Symbols use
Follow eye gaze
ToM ability (represent others intentions)
Imitation ability (mirror neurons)
Gestures (preadaptation)
Language emerged from manual gestures rather than vocal calls (controversial)
Arguments: animals have little vocal control, use of tools changed use of gestures to speech, complex imitation ability requires gestures
Speech (preadaptation)
Language emerged from speech rather than from manual gestures (controversial)
Arguments: gestures inconvenient during night, vocalization through mouth openings, vocal calls became holistic words
FOXP2
Transcription gene associated with language abilities
handedness
There is a correlation between right-handedness and word learning. Since right hand is controlled by left hemisphere and most ppl. are right-handed, vocalization happened in left hemisphere (controversial).
