L3-Evolution

Question 1

Variation

Answer 1

Differences in genetics, traits

Question 2

Differential reproduction

Answer 2

Individuals with specific traits have better survival prospects in environment than individuals with other traits (e.g. advantage of being less visible)

Question 3

Heredity

Answer 3

Traits are passed to offspring

Question 4

Natural selection

Answer 4

Survival of the fittest

Question 5

Adaptation

Answer 5

adjustment of organisms to their environment in order to improve their chances of survival in that environment

Question 6

Baldwin effect

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Singing ape

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Vocal calls

Answer 8

Foundation of music and language ability, whereas only language was an adaptation.

Question 9

Evolutionary linguistics

Answer 9

Study of language as the result of biological evolutionary processes

Question 10

Comparative linguistics

Answer 10

Studies relationships between languages, traces back family trees of languages and tries to find a common ancestor

Question 11

Language as a Spandrel

Answer 11

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)

Question 12

Cognitive niche

Answer 12

Cognitive adaptation that guarantees our survival

Question 13

traits of cognitive niche (3)

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Machine learning & language (2)

Answer 14

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-

Question 15

Multi-agent-modelling & language

Answer 15

Model how language exists in a group

Question 16

Evolutionary computation

Answer 16

Computational simulation of biological evolution of agents

Question 17

Icon

Answer 17

Similarity between a token and object (e.g.: copy)

Question 18

Index

Answer 18

Physical or temporary connection between a token and object (e.g.: calls for objects)

Question 19

Symbol

Answer 19

More complex relationship between tokens and its use (e.g.: words referring to objects)

Question 20

(widely accepted) Preadaptations for language(4)

Answer 20

Symbols use
Follow eye gaze
ToM ability (represent others intentions)
Imitation ability (mirror neurons)

Question 21

Gestures (preadaptation)

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Speech (preadaptation)

Answer 22

Language emerged from speech rather than from manual gestures (controversial)
Arguments: gestures inconvenient during night, vocalization through mouth openings, vocal calls became holistic words

Question 23

FOXP2

Answer 23

Transcription gene associated with language abilities

Question 24

handedness

Answer 24

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).