Objective
This project brings together scientific teams working from a variety of perspectives on one of the defining features of human cognition -referential communication. This ability was once thought to be uniquely human. But recent research suggests that othe r species, including not only primates but also more distant evolutionary relations, have evolved referential signals. Our starting point is that human referential communication should be conceived of not as one ability supported by a single mechanism, b ut as a complex function that results from the integration of diverse mechanisms that may have different evolutionary origins. Understanding referentiality requires an analysis of its component skills and how they can be articulated into systems of varyin g complexity. This can be best achieved through a crossdisciplinary comparative evolutionary approach. Our aim is to implement such an approach tracking the evolutionary origins of some of the key components of referentiality and the diverse ways in whic h they are realised and combined by evolution. We propose a set of empirical projects aimed at gathering innovative evidence on referential signals in various species of primates (including humans) and non-primates. These combine observational and experim ental studies in the wild and in captivity exploring the semantic flexibility of referential calls in monkeys, dolphins, and parrots, the use of referential calls and referential gestures in great apes and canids, and their combination with skills such as Theory of mind to govern their strategic use. Our proposal unifies concepts and methods, and applies similar tests across species to guarantee the comparability of data. The empirical studies are integrated with two overarching theoretical projects aim ed at reassessing the notion of referential communication and proposing a model of how and why the unique ways of human referential communication evolved.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology mammalogy primatology
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology mammalogy cetology
- natural sciences biological sciences evolutionary biology
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2003-NEST-PATH
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
ST ANDREWS
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.