ANTH 311 (till the end of course) QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS!!
what are the 4 components of communication correct answers 1. Signal
2. motivation
3. meaning
4. function
Explain Signal in communication (ACTOR) correct answers - observable action from the
ACTOR
- includes facial expressions, body postures, movements, doors
- Tamarin do tongue flicking
- GOAL: convey a clear message
- Simple to complex
Examples of simple versus complex signals correct answers - SIMPLE: one action or
vocalization
- complex: Males display with branch or males in parallel
How do primates learn signals? correct answers - can be universal
- signals are learned to get proper use
- Social climbers: all help each other by yelling or doing certain thing depending on predator
What is the role of learning signals? (velvets) correct answers - In vervets: infants do not
respond appropriately to alarm calls until they are repeatedly exposed to the call
- they give calls to both harmless and harmful birds
- Infants (24) make way less calls then adults (55) in response to raptors -
DISTINGUISHABLE
Explain Motivation (ACTOR) correct answers - internal state of the actor
- must be inferred based on what the actor does prior and subsequently
Explain Meaning (Recipient) correct answers - what message is receive by the recipient
- In VERVETS: how they respond to alarm calls
In meaning (communication): how do we infer the meaning? correct answers 1. determined
by the reaction of the recipient
2. inferred by the context of the situation
MEANING: what are the 3 distinct vervet alarm calls (also the leopard call in the anti-
predator alliance in social climbers) correct answers 1. snake call: hind legs and peer into
grass
2. Bird of prey call: Look to sky and run to bushes
3. Leopard call: Climb up to high branches
4. ANTI-PRED: they climbed up and would keep their eye on the predator
Explain the playback experiment with velvets by Cheney and Seyfarth correct answers -
Playback vocalizations to individuals/groups and observe the responses
- Suggest that individuals recognize relationships based on vocalizations
, What are 2 sides of the argument for calls being referential? correct answers - Are calls like
words? MAYBE
1. Intentional information sharing: link between the type of call (alarm) and an object
(predator) + the structure of the call --> suggest referential (recognition of an object with
association to another object)
2. Involuntary information sharing: responses to startling sounds or events or
excitement/arousal to an event
Explain function (Actor or Recipient) correct answers - the adaptive value of the signal to the
actor/recipient
- Infer why the signal has evolved
- TASIERS: use ultrasonic vocalizations
Why would tasters use ultrasonic vocalization? correct answers 1. communicate with each
other
2. Listen in on their insect./prey
3. Echolocation --> evidence is that they use more vocalizations when they are moving
(compared to resting, foraging or socializing) and use trills when jumped
4. all 3...
4 modes of communication (ONE NOTE) correct answers olfactory, visual, auditory/vocal,
tactile
What are the 3 components to intelligence? correct answers To choose between
1. Implies recognition
2. Assessing the situation
3. Action
2 broader parts of intelligence (1. choose and 2. 3 things that have to come together) correct
answers 1. choosing between different possibilities
2. Observing the possibilities, CHOOSE between the possibilities (by making assessments),
ACTING based on the situation
2 paradigms of plant intelligence correct answers 1. OLD: plants are passive entities
2. NEW: plants are dynamic and sensitive organisms
- use cost-benefit analysis to make choices
- sophisticated as animals
- operates on times scale much longer than animals
Intelligence in slimes (Physarum polycephalum) correct answers - organisms with perform
tasks necessary for survival
- shortest route through maze to locate food
- capable of intelligent behaviour
SEE NOTES
what aspect of primates do we associate with intelligence? correct answers Brain size
- primates have the largest brain to body mass relative ratio
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS!!
what are the 4 components of communication correct answers 1. Signal
2. motivation
3. meaning
4. function
Explain Signal in communication (ACTOR) correct answers - observable action from the
ACTOR
- includes facial expressions, body postures, movements, doors
- Tamarin do tongue flicking
- GOAL: convey a clear message
- Simple to complex
Examples of simple versus complex signals correct answers - SIMPLE: one action or
vocalization
- complex: Males display with branch or males in parallel
How do primates learn signals? correct answers - can be universal
- signals are learned to get proper use
- Social climbers: all help each other by yelling or doing certain thing depending on predator
What is the role of learning signals? (velvets) correct answers - In vervets: infants do not
respond appropriately to alarm calls until they are repeatedly exposed to the call
- they give calls to both harmless and harmful birds
- Infants (24) make way less calls then adults (55) in response to raptors -
DISTINGUISHABLE
Explain Motivation (ACTOR) correct answers - internal state of the actor
- must be inferred based on what the actor does prior and subsequently
Explain Meaning (Recipient) correct answers - what message is receive by the recipient
- In VERVETS: how they respond to alarm calls
In meaning (communication): how do we infer the meaning? correct answers 1. determined
by the reaction of the recipient
2. inferred by the context of the situation
MEANING: what are the 3 distinct vervet alarm calls (also the leopard call in the anti-
predator alliance in social climbers) correct answers 1. snake call: hind legs and peer into
grass
2. Bird of prey call: Look to sky and run to bushes
3. Leopard call: Climb up to high branches
4. ANTI-PRED: they climbed up and would keep their eye on the predator
Explain the playback experiment with velvets by Cheney and Seyfarth correct answers -
Playback vocalizations to individuals/groups and observe the responses
- Suggest that individuals recognize relationships based on vocalizations
, What are 2 sides of the argument for calls being referential? correct answers - Are calls like
words? MAYBE
1. Intentional information sharing: link between the type of call (alarm) and an object
(predator) + the structure of the call --> suggest referential (recognition of an object with
association to another object)
2. Involuntary information sharing: responses to startling sounds or events or
excitement/arousal to an event
Explain function (Actor or Recipient) correct answers - the adaptive value of the signal to the
actor/recipient
- Infer why the signal has evolved
- TASIERS: use ultrasonic vocalizations
Why would tasters use ultrasonic vocalization? correct answers 1. communicate with each
other
2. Listen in on their insect./prey
3. Echolocation --> evidence is that they use more vocalizations when they are moving
(compared to resting, foraging or socializing) and use trills when jumped
4. all 3...
4 modes of communication (ONE NOTE) correct answers olfactory, visual, auditory/vocal,
tactile
What are the 3 components to intelligence? correct answers To choose between
1. Implies recognition
2. Assessing the situation
3. Action
2 broader parts of intelligence (1. choose and 2. 3 things that have to come together) correct
answers 1. choosing between different possibilities
2. Observing the possibilities, CHOOSE between the possibilities (by making assessments),
ACTING based on the situation
2 paradigms of plant intelligence correct answers 1. OLD: plants are passive entities
2. NEW: plants are dynamic and sensitive organisms
- use cost-benefit analysis to make choices
- sophisticated as animals
- operates on times scale much longer than animals
Intelligence in slimes (Physarum polycephalum) correct answers - organisms with perform
tasks necessary for survival
- shortest route through maze to locate food
- capable of intelligent behaviour
SEE NOTES
what aspect of primates do we associate with intelligence? correct answers Brain size
- primates have the largest brain to body mass relative ratio
