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

2. A Systems Approach Jablonka & Lamb's (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 Life in the History of Life

4. Natural Categories and 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

5. Less-Natural Categories and Generalization Fish underwater Fish underwater Classical music Monet vs Picasso ©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).

6. Origins ► Primeval breakthrough! Presumably only a few effective consequences for only a few behaviors Presumably only a few effective consequences for only a few behaviors ► Greater variety of consequences, motivating behaviors of greater variety ► Arbitrary behaviors began to work: Different behaviors, same consequence ► Generalized pleasure and pain centers

7. Origins ► Discrimination ► Delays ► Generalization ► Concrete categories like “berries” ► Abstract categories like “red” ► Arbitrary categories linked only by common consequences ► Weighting choices (bigger consequences count more, delayed count less) ► Consequences for vocalizations, gestures, and tool use - leading to true animal cultures

8. The Selection Switcheroo Behavior Leads Evolution 1. Behavior variation --> Success in new foraging niche In new niche : 2. Beak modifications --> Consequences (survival & reproductive success/failure) --> Beak change

9. Selection by Consequences ► Learn to make free throws ► Weak, unsuccessful tosses drop out ► Stronger, more successful tosses are selected ► Your free throw percentage increases Behavior variation --> Consequences (success/failure) --> Consequences (success/failure) --> Behavior change Behavior change Consequences select behaviors. Consequences select behaviors.

10. Functional Behavior Categories Operant Learning ► Selectionism ► Schedules ► Stimulus magnitude ► Procedure/Process - negative automaintenance - negative automaintenance ► Neurophysiology ©Ken R. Schneider

11. Language 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 unique name. Chaser also learned verbs. But this took time-- a lot of it. Bonobos and chimps

12. How Far Can Animals Go? ► Speech segmentation in tamarins ► Syntax in dolphins ► Recursion discrimination in starlings ©Ken R. Schneider

13. Language and Consequences ► Baby babbling ► Moerk's statistical analysis: grammar corrections, frames, & sentence types ► Hart & Risley's Meaningful Differences ► Children of deaf parents ► Baby Einstein study (Psych Science, 2013) Skype study (Child Development, 2013) Skype study (Child Development, 2013) ► Computer models (e.g., Cog Science, 2010)

14. Language, the Brain, and Evolution The case of Alex The case of Alex ***** ***** Lieberman, Human Language Lieberman, Human Language and Our Reptilian Brain and Our Reptilian Brain Human speech (& choking) Different cortical areas for similar language functions Primitive basal ganglia are critical Quantitative, not qualitative brain differences? Human language basis selected mainly for other reasons.

15. Pragmatically...