Investigation 6 Notes

Investigation 6

Write individual conjectures about how language makes humans different.
- Consider if symbolic language is different from other communication forms.
- Determine if any differences make humans different from other species.
Share lists and discuss in groups.
- Come to a group decision with reasons.
Review the Investigation 6 Document Library.
- Complete graphic organizers.
- Consider how each text supports, extends, or challenges initial conjectures.

Write a 5-6 paragraph essay arguing how language makes humans different.
- Use information from the Investigation 6 Document Library and other sources.
- Cite sources used as evidence.

A table to analyze texts, focusing on the main point.
Categorize if each text shows animal communication as exactly the same, similar, or different from human language.

Stephen Anderson (Yale University) views that bacteria communicate.
Anderson examines animal communication systems in Dr. Dolittle's Delusion and suggests animals communicate like humans.
Bacteria secrete organic molecules detected by specialized receptors (quorum sensing).
Bacteria communicate their presence to others using these molecules.
Bacteria act like bullies, waiting until they have enough numbers to fight the immune system.

Bees communicate the location of pollen through dancing.
Karl von Frisch discovered the bee communication system over 70 years ago.
Honeybees use two dances: circle dance and tail-wagging dance.
The round dance is used when pollen is close to the hive.
The tail-wagging dance is used when pollen is farther away, forming a figure eight and wagging their tails.
The tail-wagging dance indicates the direction and distance of food in relation to the Sun.
The direction of the straight run indicates the direction of the food relative to the Sun.
The distance is communicated by the duration of the straight run and the number of tail-wags.
Bees dance straight up if food is in the same direction as the Sun, and straight down if it's in the opposite direction.

Bird calls and songs communicate information to other birds.
Edward Vajda's handout compares animal communication with human language.
Birds have two types of sound signals: calls and songs.
Bird calls consist of short notes and are instinctive responses to danger, nesting, flocking, etc.
English sparrows have three flight calls: before takeoff, during flight, and before landing.
Sparrows have two danger calls: predator nearby and predator overhead.
Bird songs are used primarily by males to attract mates or establish territory.
Bird songs are longer than calls but cannot be varied to produce new songs.

Alex the Parrot showed significant communication abilities, using words for colors, objects, numbers, and shapes.
Irene Pepperberg worked with Alex until his death at age 31.
Alex learned to speak words easily, unlike chimpanzees.
Pepperberg used a training technique (like that used on children) to teach Alex to describe things, make desires known, and ask questions.
Alex had a vocabulary of 150 words, knew the names of 50 objects, and could describe their properties.
He could understand and discuss concepts like