Lecture on Monkey Communication and Behavior
Introduction
- Main Idea: Exploration of how certain monkeys communicate and exhibit behaviors similar to humans.
- Key Question: Is thinking possible without words?
Multilingual Monkeys
- Species: Different species of monkeys, including Diana monkeys, join in troops.
- Communication: Each species has its own calls for communication.
- United Nation of Monkeys: Multiple species join together, understanding each other's calls.
Example of Communication System
- Species Involved:
- Suy mangabies (forest floor)
- Red colobus
- Spot-nosed guenon
- Black and white colobus
- Campbell's guenon
- Diana monkey (upper canopy)
- Behavior: Monkeys behave as one troop, moving and resting together, watching for predators.
Alarm Calls
- Variety of Calls:
- Red colobus have a snake alarm call.
- Diana monkeys signal for eagles.
- Mangabies alert to leopards.
- Understanding Calls:
- Each species has specific calls but they all understand each other's alarms.
- Example: 120 different sound combinations possible.
Language and Grammar
- Human Comparison:
- Monkeys' understanding of calls akin to humans understanding sentences.
- Grammar, which was thought to be uniquely human, is observed in monkey communication.
- Voice Box Similarities:
- Diana monkeys possess a voice box similar to humans, facilitating alarm calls.
Deception and Trust
- Competitive Society:
- Some monkeys use deception, such as false alarm calls, to gain advantage.
- Example of Deception:
- Subordinate monkey may falsely shout "snake" to distract others and steal food.
- Implications:
- Suggests monkeys imagine and think about others' thoughts.
- Deception as old as language.
Evolutionary Perspective
- Development of Thought:
- Millions of years ago, some monkeys began to think about each other's thoughts.
- Adaptation to New Environments:
- Transition from forest to open grassland requires adaptation due to scarcity of resources and increased predator threat.
Conclusion
- Key Insight: Understanding monkey communication gives insight into the evolution of language and social structure.
Note: These notes capture the key elements of monkey communication, social behavior, and the implications of linguistic and cognitive parallels to humans.