Societies and communication - part 1 and 2

Question 1

define society

Answer 1

A group of individuals belonging to the same species and organized in a cooperative manner.

Question 2

what is the diagnostic criterion for a society

Answer 2

reciprocal communication of a cooperative nature, extending beyond mere sexual activity

Question 3

define Communication

Answer 3

An action by one organism that produces an adaptive behavioral response in another organism.

Question 4

what does communication involve

Answer 4

• a signaler
• one or more receiver

Question 5

what are two key questions for any form of communication?

Answer 5

1. How is communication achieved? — Structure of communication
2. What is the purpose of communication? — Function in
   societies (discussed in part 2)

Question 6

define discrete signal

Answer 6

A signal that is presented in a simple dichotomous on/off form, and which typically elicits a simple, unmodulated response

Question 7

discrete signal - example

Answer 7

Recognition

Question 8

define graded signal

Answer 8

A signal that can be varied in strength, and which typically elicits a variable response in the receiver.

Question 9

graded signal - example

Answer 9

social interactions

Question 10

modes of communication cover what

Answer 10

every mechanism where a signal can be emitted by one organism and received by another.

Question 11

what are the main modes of communication

Answer 11

• Sound.
• Vibration.
• Touch.
• Visual (Color, Movement, Light)
• Chemical.

Question 12

what does signal stereotyping do

Answer 12

increases specificity of signal-response
interaction

Question 13

what does stereotyping refer to

Answer 13

standardization and consistency

Question 14

what does specificity allow

Answer 14

it can allow for more context-dependent meanings

Question 15

what does specificity require

Answer 15

• evolutionary coupling of signaler and receiver machinery
• specificity must be sent and received to work.

Question 16

what does signal specificity decrease

Answer 16

decreases error in outcome

Question 17

How is a signal made more specific?

Answer 17

it can be used in combination with a behavior/display

Question 18

define display

Answer 18

A specialized behavioral pattern that has evolved to convey signaled information

Question 19

what is the difference between a signal and a display

Answer 19

• signal = the information
• display = mediates the conspicuousness and
  delivery of the information

Question 20

Reliability of communication is increased how

Answer 20

often through contrasting signaler and receiver displays

Question 21

example of contrasting signaler and receiver display

Answer 21

Dominance interactions

Question 22

contrasting signaler and receiver display - dominance interactions

Answer 22

• dominant one is usually on top or above
• subordinate one is usually lower

Question 23

All species have a __________________ of signals

Answer 23

limited repertoire

Question 24

what does amplification involve

Answer 24

enhancing or modifying an animal’s limited repertoire of signals to maximize information.

Question 25

Mechanisms of signal amplification

Answer 25

- Temporal spacing and decay of signal. - Distance of signal. - Signal duration. - Composite signals. - Meta-communication. - Context. - Mass communication. - stereotyping/display

Question 26

signal amplification - Temporal spacing and decay of signal

Answer 26

The degree to which the original signal has eroded conveys additional information.

Question 27

temporal spacing and decay of signal example

Answer 27

ant trail reinforcement

Question 28

trail reinforcement - how are ant trails marked

Answer 28

- marked with pheromone - single mode and signal

Question 29

trail reinforcement - which route suffers greater signal decay

Answer 29

Longer routes suffer greater signal decay of the trail pheromone

Question 30

trail reinforcement - how does the signal reinforce the trail

Answer 30

Degree of signal decay reinforces selection of best social foraging route

Question 31

signal amplification - distance of signal

Answer 31

A signal that is easily localized in space adds information about the proximity of signaler

Question 32

distance of signal - example

Answer 32

Howler monkey territorial signaling and group cohesion — location announcement

Question 33

signal amplification - signal duration

Answer 33

Continuously broadcast signals, such as built structures, provide lasting information for subsequent social communication.

Question 34

signal duration - example

Answer 34

The nest structure of ants can provide hard-coded communication signals

Question 35

signal amplification - composite signals

Answer 35

- Combining two or more signals, each with their own individual meaning - produces a new signal without adding to the signal repertoire.

Question 36

composite signal - example

Answer 36

zebras bearing teeth and position of their ears refer to different meanings

Question 37

signal amplification - meta-communication

Answer 37

Initial signal used to communicate different meaning of subsequent signals

Question 38

signal amplification - context

Answer 38

Single signal has different meanings in different contexts

Question 39

context - example

Answer 39

Roaring in lions

Question 40

context - how is roaring used in lions

Answer 40

- Finding each other - Bond reinforcing in contact - Territorial for neighboring prides - Close aggressive interaction in males

Question 41

lions - context for finding each other

Answer 41

context of separation

Question 42

lions - context for bond reinforcing in contact

Answer 42

context of interacting group members

Question 43

lions - context for territorial for neighboring prides

Answer 43

context of signal broadcast from group

Question 44

lions - context for close aggressive interaction in males

Answer 44

context of confrontation

Question 45

signal amplification - mass communication

Answer 45

Every individual is simultaneously signaling and receiving, producing an emergent social behavior.

Question 46

mass communication - example

Answer 46

- army ant swarm - herds of animals

Question 47

mass communication - army ant swarm

Answer 47

Each ant is simultaneously laying pheromones and responding to the pheromones of others

Question 48

mass communication - herds

Answer 48

If there is a collective threat, there is cohesive movement to get away

Question 49

meta-communication - example

Answer 49

gorilla play

Question 50

At the broadest level what is the function of communication in societies?

Answer 50

the glue between society members, maintaining group cohesiveness.

Question 51

what is communication in a society analogous to

Answer 51

it is analogous to physiology in multicellular organisms

Question 52

Examples of broad functions of communication in societies

Answer 52

- Defense against enemies (bees) - conflict resolution (wolves) - bonding/skill development (gorilla play)