Primate Communication
A Multimodal Approach

Multimodal approach to primate communication with focus on its cognitive foundations and how this relates to theories of language evolution.

Katja Liebal (Author), Bridget M. Waller (Author), Anne M. Burrows (Author), Katie E. Slocombe (Author)

9780521195041, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 November 2013

304 pages, 64 b/w illus. 8 tables
25.3 x 17.8 x 1.8 cm, 0.76 kg

'Primate Communication is appropriate for a wide audience, from those beginning in the field, to those already immersed in it. … [It] is an easily digestible, diverse, and thorough review of the importance of investigating – simultaneously - the multiple ways that primates communicate to each other. I highly recommend it for students, instructors and primate enthusiasts alike!' Alex K. Piel, Primate Eye

Primates communicate with each other using a wide range of signals: olfactory signals to mark territories, screams to recruit help while fighting, gestures to request food and facial expressions to initiate play. Primate Communication brings together research on all forms of interchange and discusses what we know about primate communication via vocal, gestural, facial, olfactory and integrated multimodal signals in relation to a number of central topics. It explores the morphological, neural and cognitive foundations of primate communication through discussion of cutting-edge research. By considering signals from multiple modalities and taking a unified multimodal approach, the authors offer a uniquely holistic overview of primate communication, discussing what we know, what we don't know and what we may currently misunderstand about communication across these different forms. It is essential reading for researchers interested in primate behaviour, communication and cognition, as well as students of primatology, psychology, anthropology and cognitive sciences.

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Part I. Introduction to Primate Communication: 1. What is primate communication?
2. The morphology of primate communication
3. The neural substrates of primate communication
Part II. Approaches to Primate Communication: 4. The methods used in primate communication
5. A multimodal approach to primate communication
Part III. Cognitive Characteristics of Primate Communication: 6. Acquisition
7. Flexibility
8. Intentionality
9. Referentiality
Part IV. Approaches to the Evolution of Primate Communication: 10. A multimodal approach to the evolution of primate communication
Glossary
References
Appendix
Species index
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Primates [PSVW79], Animal behaviour [PSVP], Cognition & cognitive psychology [JMR], Social, group or collective psychology [JMH], Physical anthropology [JHMP], Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC], Communication studies [GTC], Linguistics [CF]