A Systems Approach to Evolution, Learning, and Language Interaction Across All Levels Susan M. Schneider, PhD University of the Pacific.

A Systems Approach A Systems Approach to Evolution, Learning, to Evolution, Learning,

and Languageand Language

Interaction Across All Interaction Across All LevelsLevels

Susan M. Schneider, PhDSusan M. Schneider, PhDUniversity of the PacificUniversity of the Pacific

A Systems ApproachA Systems Approach

Jablonka & Lamb's Jablonka & Lamb's (2005)(2005)

Evolution in Four Evolution in Four

Dimensions:Dimensions:

Genetic, Epigenetic, Genetic, Epigenetic,

Behavioral, and Behavioral, and

Symbolic Variation Symbolic Variation

in the History of Lifein the History of Life

Natural Categories Natural Categories and Generalizationand Generalization

Herrnstein, R. J., Loveland, D. H., & Cable, C. (1976). Natural concepts in pigeons. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, 2, 285‑302.

1,840 pictures of trees or non-trees

Less-Natural CategoriesLess-Natural Categoriesand Generalizationand Generalization

Fish Fish underwaterunderwater

Classical musicClassical music

Monet vs Monet vs PicassoPicasso

©Ken R. Schneider

Watanabe, S., Sakamoto, J., & Wakita, M. (1995). Pigeons' discrimination of paintings by Monet and Picasso. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 63, 165‑174.

Porter, D., & Neuringer, A. (1984). Music discrimination by pigeons. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, 10, 138‑148.

Herrnstein, R. J., & de Villiers, P. A. (1980). Fish as a natural category for people and pigeons. In G. H. Bower (Ed.), The psychology of learning and motivation (Vol. 14, pp. 59-95).

OriginsOrigins

►Primeval breakthrough! Primeval breakthrough!

Presumably only a few effective Presumably only a few effective consequences for only a few behaviorsconsequences for only a few behaviors

►Greater variety of consequences, Greater variety of consequences, motivating behaviors of greater varietymotivating behaviors of greater variety

►Arbitrary behaviors began to work: Arbitrary behaviors began to work: Different behaviors, same consequence Different behaviors, same consequence

►Generalized pleasure and pain centers Generalized pleasure and pain centers

OriginsOrigins►DiscriminationDiscrimination►Delays Delays ►GeneralizationGeneralization►Concrete categories like “berries”Concrete categories like “berries”►Abstract categories like “red” Abstract categories like “red” ►Arbitrary categories linked only by common Arbitrary categories linked only by common

consequencesconsequences►Weighting choices (bigger consequences Weighting choices (bigger consequences

count more, delayed count less) count more, delayed count less) ►Consequences for vocalizations, gestures, Consequences for vocalizations, gestures,

and tool use - leading to true animal and tool use - leading to true animal culturescultures

The Selection SwitcherooThe Selection SwitcherooBehavior Leads EvolutionBehavior Leads Evolution

1. 1. Behavior variation Behavior variation -->--> Success in new foraging Success in new foraging nicheniche

In new nicheIn new niche::2. 2. Beak modifications Beak modifications -->--> Consequences (survival Consequences (survival & reproductive success/failure) & reproductive success/failure) -->--> Beak change Beak change

Selection by Selection by ConsequencesConsequences►Learn to make free throwsLearn to make free throws►Weak, unsuccessful tosses drop outWeak, unsuccessful tosses drop out►Stronger, more successful tosses are selectedStronger, more successful tosses are selected►Your free throw percentage increasesYour free throw percentage increases

Behavior variation Behavior variation --> -->

Consequences Consequences (success/failure) --> (success/failure) -->

Behavior changeBehavior change

Consequences select Consequences select behaviors.behaviors.

Functional Behavior Functional Behavior CategoriesCategories

Operant LearningOperant Learning►SelectionismSelectionism►Schedules Schedules ►Stimulus magnitudeStimulus magnitude►Procedure/ProcessProcedure/Process - negative - negative

automaintenanceautomaintenance►NeurophysiologyNeurophysiology

©Ken R. Schneider

Language in AnimalsLanguage in Animals

Pilley, J. E., & Reid, A. K. (2011). Border Collie comprehends object names as verbal referents. Behavioural Processes , 86, 184‑195.

Robin Pilley

Over 1000 toys,each with a uniquename.

Chaser alsolearned verbs.

But this took time--a lot of it.

Bonobos and chimpsBonobos and chimps

How Far Can Animals Go?How Far Can Animals Go?

►Speech segmentation in tamarinsSpeech segmentation in tamarins

►Syntax in dolphinsSyntax in dolphins

►Recursion discrimination in starlingsRecursion discrimination in starlings

©Ken R. Schneider

Language and Language and ConsequencesConsequences

►Baby babblingBaby babbling►Moerk's statistical analysis: grammar Moerk's statistical analysis: grammar

corrections, frames, & sentence typescorrections, frames, & sentence types►Hart & Risley's Hart & Risley's Meaningful DifferencesMeaningful Differences►Children of deaf parentsChildren of deaf parents►Baby Einstein study (Baby Einstein study (Psych SciencePsych Science, ,

2013)2013)

Skype study (Skype study (Child Development, Child Development, 2013)2013)►Computer models (e.g., Computer models (e.g., Cog Science, Cog Science,

2010)2010)

Language, the Brain, and Language, the Brain, and EvolutionEvolution

The case of AlexThe case of Alex

**********

Lieberman, Lieberman, Human Language Human Language

and Our Reptilian Brainand Our Reptilian BrainHuman speech (& choking)Human speech (& choking)

Different cortical areas for similar Different cortical areas for similar language functionslanguage functions

Primitive basal ganglia are criticalPrimitive basal ganglia are critical

Quantitative, not qualitative brain Quantitative, not qualitative brain differences? Human language basis differences? Human language basis selected mainly for other reasons.selected mainly for other reasons.

Pragmatically . . .Pragmatically . . .