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LEAVENS_Evolution_of_Primate_Social_Cognition_JUL 2018 (book_chapter accepted version).pdf (149.78 kB)

The cognitive implications of intentional communication: a multifaceted mirror

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posted on 2023-06-09, 15:23 authored by David LeavensDavid Leavens
There is a central concern in contemporary cognitive science with the validity of the use of epistemic and intentional terms to interpret the communication patterns of non-human animals. Here I argue (a) that the human developmental transition to intentional communication is a well-described phenomenon, from an empirical standpoint; (b) that the behavioural patterns that characterise intentional communication in our own species are also well-described in the communication of our nearest living relatives, the great apes; (c) that the presence of the behavioural markers for intentional communication in non-human primates does not unambiguously implicate any particular one of a large number of often mutually contradictory hypothetical psychological process models; and (d) that intentional communication by young humans is also consistent with hypothetical process models that are, themselves, mutually contradictory. Intentional communication is a class of behaviour that is open to public, objective measurement. In contrast, the hypothetical cognitive processes supporting intentional communication in both human and non-human animals are not specified by the fact that intentional communication has occurred—they could not be, except when there is an unambiguous behavioural index of invisible psychological processes, which is a contradiction in terms. In this chapter, I will examine a number of contemporary scientific practices that purportedly reveal aspects of psychological processes underlying intentional communication and demonstrate the deficiencies of these protocols. In general, these methodological infelicities support a systematic, discipline-wide double standard of interpretation of the communication of animals and humans. I will conclude that there is no convincing evidence extant of different psychological processes in the intentional communication of apes and preverbal humans.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

ISSN

2199-3068

Publisher

Springer

Page range

59-77

Pages

326.0

Book title

Evolution of Primate Social Cognition

Place of publication

Cham

ISBN

9783319937755

Series

Interdisciplinary Evolution Research

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Editors

Fabio Di Vincenzo, Francesca De Petrillo, Laura Desirèe Di Paolo

Legacy Posted Date

2018-10-09

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2020-09-15

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-10-07

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