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Animal Cognition & Communication - PSY00019H

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  • Department: Psychology
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Katie Slocombe
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

What makes us human? How did the human mind evolve? What makes us different from other animals? Is it our language? Culture? Consciousness? Mind reading? In order to tackle these questions we need to investigate and understand how other animals behave, communicate and think. This course aims to give you an appreciation of the key similarities and differences between communication and social cognition in humans and other animals. This may challenge your preconceptions about what animals are capable of and further your understanding of what it means to be human.

Module learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of how studies of natural communication and ape language projects can further our understanding of language and speech evoluation
  • Given an account of the strengths and weaknesses of methods for studying animal behaviour
  • Discuss how studies of natural communication and ape language projects can further our understanding of language evolution
  • Describe the weaknesses in our current understanding of animal communication
  • Give an account of how animals can learn from observing each other and evaluate the claim for animal culture
  • Discuss the evidence for Theory of Mind in great apes
  • Describe how we can test self-recognition in animals and discuss the evidence for this ability in non-humans
  • Give an account of where the most convincing similarities and differences lie between humans and other animals in terms of communication and social cognition
  • Critically evaluate evidence that non-human animals engage in empathetic behaviour
  • Critically evaluate evidence for prosocial behaviour in non-human animals

Module content

  • Vocal Communication and vocal learning
  • Visual Communication
  • Ape Language studies and a multimodal approach to communication
  • Social learning and culture
  • Theory of mind
  • Self-recognition
  • Prosocial behaviour
  • Empathy

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Animal Cognition & Communication		 5 hours 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Animal Cognition & Communication		 5 hours 100

Module feedback

The marks on all assessed work will be provided on e-vision.

Indicative reading

Introductory Reading:

A brief overview of most of these topics can be found in:
Pearce, J. (2008) Animal Learning and Cognition, New York; Psychology Press (should be plenty in the library)
Byrne, R. (1995). The Thinking Ape: Evolutionary Origins of Intelligence. Oxford University Press.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.