Animal Behavior Exam II

Communication

Information transfer from a sender to a receiver that, on average benefits the sender in some way

Channels (modalities)

Vision, audition, chemical, touch, electrical

Communication is shaped by

characteristics of sender, receiver, and environment

Communication types in terms of positive or negative outcome for signalers and recievers

Equation for amount of information transferred/ amount the uncertainty is reduces

H= log₂ n, where n = # of equally probably alternatives

2^H = n

Widespread message types

Attack, escape, sex, indecisiveness, attentiveness

Arbitrary signal

Signal ‘removed’ from information (most signals)

Iconic signal

Signal related to, or representing something, about information

Graded signal intensity

Continuous. Can potentially convey more info. e.g facial expressions

Typical Intensity

Discrete. Less subject to misinterpretations. Less limited in range. e.g. ritualized displays

Ritualization steps

Simplification, exaggeration of remaining components, stereotype, repetition of signal