Eco‑evo‑devo and iterated learning : towards an integrated approach in the light of niche construction
Segovia‑Martín, José (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Centre de Lingüística Teòrica)
Balari, Sergio (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Filologia Catalana)

Date:	2020
Abstract:	In this paper we argue that ecological evolutionary developmental biology (ecoevo-devo) accounts of cognitive modernity are compatible with cultural evolution theories of language built upon iterated learning models. Cultural evolution models show that the emergence of near universal properties of language do not require the preexistence of strong specific constraints. Instead, the development of general abilities, unrelated to informational specificity, like the copying of complex signals and sharing of communicative intentions is required for cultural evolution to yield specific properties, such as language structure. We argue that eco-evo-devo provides the appropriate conceptual background to ground an account for the many interconnected genetic, environmental and developmental factors that facilitated the emergence of an organic system able to develop language through the iterated transmission of information. We use the concept of niche construction to connect evolutionary developmental accounts for sensory guided motor capacities and cultural evolution guided by iterated learning models. This integrated theoretical model aims to build bridges between biological and cultural approaches.
Grants:	Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación FFI2017-87699-P Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca 2017-2019/SGR
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Language evolution ; Cultural evolution ; Extended evolutionary synthesis ; Niche construction ; Eco-evo-devo
Published in:	Biology & Philosophy, Vol. 35 Núm. 4 (August 2020) , ISSN 1572-8404

DOI: 10.1007/s10539-020-09761-3

23 p, 817.4 KB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Arts and Humanities > Center for Theoretical Linguistics (CLT)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles