Simulating the real origins of communication

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Computational Modeling
• Communication Theory

Background:

• Existing models often presuppose communication, limiting the study of its initial emergence.
• Understanding the origins of communication is crucial across multiple scientific disciplines.
• Previous research has not fully addressed how communication systems arise from non-communicative precursors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel computational model that simulates the emergence of communication without pre-specifying its existence.
• To identify general principles governing the emergence of communication systems.
• To compare model-derived insights with empirical data on animal and human communication.

Main Methods:

• Development of a new computational model designed to generate communication de novo.
• Conducting two distinct experiments utilizing the computational model.
• Analyzing model outputs to identify patterns and pathways of communication emergence.

Main Results:

• Identification of two principal routes for the emergence of communication systems.
• These routes align with established findings in the empirical study of animal signal evolution.
• Human communication is identified as a significant exception, differing from general emergence trends.

Conclusions:

• The model provides a framework for understanding when and why communication emerges in natural systems.
• Human capacity for 'signaling signalhood' (expressing communicative intent) explains their unique position in communication evolution.
• The findings offer insights into both the general evolution of communication and the specific origins of human language.