Animal Behaviour - Language
Language is a system of arbitrary symbols used to communicate meaning. It is governed by generative grammar, which organizes word order and thought patterns, allowing the creation of an infinite number of messages and complex ideas.
What is language?
Arbitrary symbols
Generative grammar - word order and thought patterns
Key Terms
What is language?
Arbitrary symbols
Generative grammar - word order and thought patterns
How does animal communication differ from language?
able to communicate information about their own emotional state
able to communicate some information about the worlds eg. alarm calls (not ar...
What is generative grammar?
Finite number of elements can be rearranged with properties distinct from their elements. Discrete combinational system
What is language composition similar to?
Genetic code - 4 nucleotides rearranged to make infinite number of genes
What is Chomsky’s view on language?
Not a cultural invention - an instinct, but one which is incompatible with Darwinian evolution
What is Pinker’s view on language?
An instinct, compatible with Darwinian evolution but still irrevocable separating humans from all other animals
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What is language? | Arbitrary symbols Generative grammar - word order and thought patterns |
How does animal communication differ from language? | able to communicate information about their own emotional state able to communicate some information about the worlds eg. alarm calls (not arbitrary) NO evidence of emergent properties (getting more complex/better over time) |
What is generative grammar? | Finite number of elements can be rearranged with properties distinct from their elements. Discrete combinational system |
What is language composition similar to? | Genetic code - 4 nucleotides rearranged to make infinite number of genes |
What is Chomsky’s view on language? | Not a cultural invention - an instinct, but one which is incompatible with Darwinian evolution |
What is Pinker’s view on language? | An instinct, compatible with Darwinian evolution but still irrevocable separating humans from all other animals |
Who invented the idea that language in an instinct? | Noam Chomsky |
What is the evidence that language is an instinct? | Develops spontaneously without formal instruction Children turn pidgin into creole Children invent own generative grammar without imitation Deaf children invent own sign language All human languages have the same deep structure not the same formal grammar No tribe ever discovered without language Distinct from the ability to process information or behave intelligently Identifiable part of human brain (lower frontal lobe in LH) Wililams syndrome and Alzheimers - poor cognitive ability but good speech |
Give examples of conditions where cognitive ability is affected but speech is not | WIlliams syndrome, Alzheimers |
What is Orwell’s view (1984) on language? | Thoughts predetermined by the language available Different languages cause different thoughts |
Which culture doesn’t have the word we? | Cherokee - different words for me and her, group in room, whole population etc. |
What evidence opposes the alternative view? | Thoughts are already there - babies have cognitive representation but no language Adults claim to think in images (Einstein) Some disciplines eg. particle physics can only be described using a taught language (maths) |
How does psychotherapy work? | Allows rhetoric constraints to be put on abstract ideas and thoughts |
What is the purpose of language? | Translating thoughts into communication - not perfect, thoughts and percepts are richer as several concepts surround an individual word |
What is “the code”? | Deep biological structure common to all languages - sentences are not just learned sequences |
What are the different aspects of the code? | Head phrase - whole sentence is about this Noun phrase eg. the happy boy Verb phrase eg. eats icecream A bar eg. will - can be added anywhere to complexify meaning |
What are the two types of words in language? | Content and function Content words easy to add new ones/alter Function words difficult to alter/add new words |
Up to why age can language deprived children develop speech? | 6 years |
How is learning facilitated? | Adults emphasise grammar over word complexity eg. what did he eat? he ate his dinner |
Why can apes not talk? | Anatomy of vocal tract |
Who suggested apes could be taught sign language? | Yerkes |
Who taught Washoe ASL? | Gardner 1960s - within ten years she had aquired over 100 signs (mostly requests) |
What were the apes taught to use symbols supposed to be revealing evidence of? | Grammar |
What is the likely explanation of symbol and signing in primates? | S-R Association and chaining, operant training and reinforcement - not creative |
What is the Clever Hans effect? | Interpreting subtle signals form trainer/owner/experimenter interpreted as knowledge |
Who studied Nim Chimpsky? | Herbert Terrace 1973 | - Imitated word order used by experimenters |
What did Sherman and Austin study? | Use and understanding of words rather than whether apes have a language or use of grammar arbitrary symbols (still operant conditioning?) impressive feat of naming object before giving it to experimenter |
Which chimp did Savage-Rumbaugh study? | Kanzi Mother was keyboard trained, he was not but picked up knowledge of symbols as a child would ? majority of multi-words were spontaneous not imitated combinations indicate meaning that individual words lack Rules should generalise Order important Some creativity |
What was Pinker's view on Kanzi? | Abilities are only just above those of conspecifics |