Societies and communication - part 1 and 2 Flashcards
define society
A group of individuals belonging to the same species and organized in a cooperative manner.
what is the diagnostic criterion for a society
reciprocal communication of a cooperative nature, extending beyond mere sexual activity
define Communication
An action by one organism that produces an adaptive behavioral response in another organism.
what does communication involve
- a signaler
- one or more receiver
what are two key questions for any form of communication?
- How is communication achieved? — Structure of communication
- What is the purpose of communication? — Function in
societies (discussed in part 2)
define discrete signal
A signal that is presented in a simple dichotomous on/off form, and which typically elicits a simple, unmodulated response
discrete signal - example
Recognition
define graded signal
A signal that can be varied in strength, and which typically elicits a variable response in the receiver.
graded signal - example
social interactions
modes of communication cover what
every mechanism where a signal can be emitted by one organism and received by another.
what are the main modes of communication
- Sound.
- Vibration.
- Touch.
- Visual (Color, Movement, Light)
- Chemical.
what does signal stereotyping do
increases specificity of signal-response
interaction
what does stereotyping refer to
standardization and consistency
what does specificity allow
it can allow for more context-dependent meanings
what does specificity require
- evolutionary coupling of signaler and receiver machinery
- specificity must be sent and received to work.
what does signal specificity decrease
decreases error in outcome
How is a signal made more specific?
it can be used in combination with a behavior/display
define display
A specialized behavioral pattern that has evolved to convey signaled information
what is the difference between a signal and a display
- signal = the information
- display = mediates the conspicuousness and
delivery of the information
Reliability of communication is increased how
often through contrasting signaler and receiver displays
example of contrasting signaler and receiver display
Dominance interactions
contrasting signaler and receiver display - dominance interactions
- dominant one is usually on top or above
- subordinate one is usually lower
All species have a __________________ of signals
limited repertoire
what does amplification involve
enhancing or modifying an animal’s limited repertoire of signals to maximize information.
Mechanisms of signal amplification
- Temporal spacing and decay of signal.
- Distance of signal.
- Signal duration.
- Composite signals.
- Meta-communication.
- Context.
- Mass communication.
- stereotyping/display
signal amplification - Temporal spacing and decay of signal
The degree to which the original signal has eroded conveys additional information.
temporal spacing and decay of signal example
ant trail reinforcement
trail reinforcement - how are ant trails marked
- marked with pheromone
- single mode and signal
trail reinforcement - which route suffers greater signal decay
Longer routes suffer greater signal decay of the trail pheromone
trail reinforcement - how does the signal reinforce the trail
Degree of signal decay reinforces selection of best social foraging route
signal amplification - distance of signal
A signal that is easily localized in space adds information about the proximity of signaler
distance of signal - example
Howler monkey territorial signaling and group cohesion — location announcement
signal amplification - signal duration
Continuously broadcast signals, such as built structures, provide lasting information for subsequent social communication.
signal duration - example
The nest structure of ants can provide hard-coded communication signals
signal amplification - composite signals
- Combining two or more signals, each with their own individual meaning
- produces a new signal without adding to the signal repertoire.
composite signal - example
zebras bearing teeth and position of their ears refer to different meanings
signal amplification - meta-communication
Initial signal used to communicate different meaning of subsequent signals
signal amplification - context
Single signal has different meanings in different contexts
context - example
Roaring in lions
context - how is roaring used in lions
- Finding each other
- Bond reinforcing in contact
- Territorial for neighboring prides
- Close aggressive interaction in males
lions - context for finding each other
context of separation
lions - context for bond reinforcing in contact
context of interacting group members
lions - context for territorial for neighboring prides
context of signal broadcast from group
lions - context for close aggressive interaction in males
context of confrontation
signal amplification - mass communication
Every individual is simultaneously signaling and receiving, producing an emergent social behavior.
mass communication - example
- army ant swarm
- herds of animals
mass communication - army ant swarm
Each ant is simultaneously laying pheromones and responding to the pheromones of others
mass communication - herds
If there is a collective threat, there is cohesive movement to get away
meta-communication - example
gorilla play
At the broadest level what is the function of communication in societies?
the glue between society members, maintaining group cohesiveness.
what is communication in a society analogous to
it is analogous to physiology in multicellular organisms
Examples of broad functions of communication in societies
- Defense against enemies (bees)
- conflict resolution (wolves)
- bonding/skill development (gorilla play)
