Lecture 8

Question 1

Define communication

Answer 1

When one organism transmits a signal to another organism that is capable of responding appropriately to that signal.

Question 2

Von Frisch and the honey bee

Answer 2

Foraging bee returns to the hive and recruits other workers using 2 dances. Round dance is used when the food source is less than 100m so encourages random search. Waggle dance when >100m. Bee runs in a straight line waggling then turns 360 degrees to the left then runs. Figure of 8 formed. Distance (length of straight run and number of waggles) and direction shown (angle between the vertical and the direction of the staight run.

Question 3

Seyfarth and Cheney: Vervet monkeys

Answer 3

Snake, alarm call, look to ground
Leopard, alarm call, run up tree
Eagle, alarm call, look into sky

Question 4

Chomsky view on language

Answer 4

All language conforms to rules of grammar so humans have a language acquisition device that is not found in animals.

Question 5

Mesphail view on language

Answer 5

There is no evidence for differences in the intellect between different species, other than humans and other species. Language separates humans from other animals

Question 6

Hockett’s criteria for language

Answer 6

Discrete, arbitrary units, semanticity, displacement and productivity through syntax.

Question 7

Vervet monkeys and language criteria

Answer 7

alarm calls are composed of discrete units .

Semanticity as each call has a specific meaning.

Question 8

Language and syntax

Answer 8

Words can have many different meanings when put together in different orders

Question 9

Why is it difficult to find language in an animal’s natural behaviour?

Answer 9

We train them to acquire language

Question 10

Furness & Hayes training of an orangutan and chimp.

Answer 10

Physical limitation to produce speech.