The recent proliferation of digital databases cultural and linguistic data, together with new statistical techniques becoming available has lead to a rise in so-called nomothetic studies [1]–[8]. These seek relationships between demographic variables traits from large, cross-cultural datasets. insights these are important for understanding how evolve. While fascinating good at generating testable hypotheses, they may underestimate the probability finding spurious correlations traits. Here we...

A previous study by Chen demonstrates a correlation between languages that grammatically mark future events and their speakers' propensity to save, even after controlling for numerous economic demographic factors. The implication is which distinguish the present may bias speakers them psychologically, leading less future-oriented decision making. However, Chen's original analysis assumed are independent. This neglects fact related, causing correlations appear stronger than warranted...

abstract It is well established that context plays a fundamental role in how we learn and use language. Here explore links short-term language with the long-term emergence of different types system. Using an iterated learning model cultural transmission, current study experimentally investigates communicative situation which utterance produced ( situational ) it influences three linguistic systems: underspecified languages (where only some dimensions meaning are encoded linguistically),...

Abstract Recent studies have taken advantage of newly available, large-scale, cross-linguistic data and new statistical techniques to look at the relationship between language structure social structure. These ‘nomothetic’ approaches contrast with more traditional a tension is observed proponents each method. We review some nomothetic point out challenges that must be overcome. However, we argue can contribute our understanding links if they address these are as part body mutually supporting...

Abstract We present a theoretical framework bearing on the evolution of written communication. analyze writing as special kind graphic code. Like languages, codes consist stable, conventional mappings between symbols and meanings, but (unlike spoken or signed languages) their enduring images. This gives them unique capacity to transmit information in one go across time space. Yet this usually remains quite unexploited, because most are insufficiently informative. They may only be used for...

Higher levels of economic activity are often accompanied by higher energy use and consumption natural resources. As fossil fuels still account for 80% the global mix, remains closely linked to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions thus climate change. Under assumption sufficiently elastic demand, this reality development based on permanent growth activity, brings into play Jevons Paradox, which hypothesises that increases in efficiency resource leads consumption. Previous research rebound effects...

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In this paper we argue that can gain important insights on the evolution of language and cognition by integrating evolutionary linguistics framework Cognitive Linguistics. Linguistics, is seen as tightly integrated with a whole. Construction Grammar usage-based approaches are closely related to Cognitive-Linguistic paradigm. proposes knowledge be defined form-meaning pairings different degrees schematicity complexity, whereas stress acquisition processing based instances actual usage. As...

A familiar story about the evolution of alphabets is that individual letters originated in iconic representations real things. Over time, these naturalistic pictures became simplified into abstract forms. Thus, ox's head

Cultural evolutionary theory provides a framework for explaining change in population-level distributions. A consistent finding the literature is that multiple transmission episodes shape distribution of cultural traits to become more compressible, i.e., set derived are compressed than their ancestral forms. Importantly, this amplification compressible patterns can manifest two ways, either via homogenisation variation or through organisation into structured and specialised patterns. Using...

Coinage, the practice of minting small bits metal with distinctive marks, appearing in second half 7th century BCE, had a transformative impact upon ancient economies and societies. Controversies endure concerning original function coinage, particular respective role states markets its emergence. Applying information-theoretic measures to corpus 6859 distinct coin types from Ancient Mediterranean world, dated between c. 625 31 we show that symbols minted on coins (designs combining images...

Humans commit information to graphic symbols for three basic reasons: as a memory aid, tool thinking, and means of communication. Yet, despite the benefits transmitting graphically, we still know very little about biases constraints acting on emergence stable, powerful, accurate codes (such writing). Using reference game, where participants play Messengers Recipients, experimentally manipulate function task (communicative or non-communicative) investigate whether this shapes both synchronous...

Abstract Explaining the origins of cumulative culture, and how it is maintained over long timescales, constitutes a challenge for theories cultural evolution. Previous theoretical work has emphasized two fundamental causal processes: adaptation (where technologies are refined towards functional objective) exaptation (the repurposing existing new goal). Yet, despite prominence in explanations, this process often absent from models experiments culture. Using an agent-based model, where agents...

Abstract Linguistic systems are hypothesised to be shaped by pressures towards communicative efficiency that drive processes of simplification. A longstanding illustration this idea is the claim Chinese characters have progressively simplified over time. Here we test analyzing a dataset with more than half million images spanning 3,000 years recorded history. We find no consistent evidence simplification through time, and contrary popular belief modern higher in visual complexity their...

Human communication is thoroughly context bound. We present two experiments investigating the importance of shared context, that is, amount knowledge interlocutors have in common, for successful emergence and use novel conventions. Using a referential task where black-and-white pictorial symbols are used to convey colors, pairs participants build conventions peculiar their dyad without experimenter feedback, relying purely on ostensive-inferential communication. Both demonstrate access...

Unlike a standard online experiment, gaming app lets participants interact freely with vast number of partners, as many times they wish. The gain is not merely one statistical power. Cultural evolutionists can use apps to allow large numbers communicate synchronously; build realistic transmission chains that avoid the losses information occurs in linear chains; and study effects partner choice well control social interactions. We are releasing an designed take advantage these opportunities...

Dogs' production of referential communicative signals, i.e., showing, has gained increasing scientific interest over the last years. In this paper, we investigate whether shared information about present and past affects success form dog-human interactions. Second, in context owners have always been treated as passive receivers dog's signals. Therefore, examined owner's behavior can influence their showing behavior. To address these questions, employed a hidden-object task with knowledgeable...

Abstract The amount of information conveyed by linguistic conventions depends on their precision, yet the codes that humans and other animals use to communicate are quite ambiguous: they may map several vague meanings same symbol. How does semantic precision evolve, what constraints limit it? We address this question using a multiplayer gaming app, where individuals with one another in scaled‐up referential game. Here, goal is for sender black white symbols colors. expected players’ mappings...

A familiar story about the evolution of alphabets is that individual letters originated in iconic representations real things. Over time, these naturalistic pictures became simplified into abstract forms. Thus ox’s head Egyptian hieroglyphics transformed Phoenician and eventually Roman letter A. In this vein, attempts to theorize writing have tended propose variations on a model unilinear unidirectional progression. According progressivist formula, pictorial scripts will tend become more...

Explanations of human technology often point to both its cumulative and combinatorial character. Using a novel computational framework, where individual agents attempt solve problems by modifying, combining transmitting technologies in an open-ended search space, this paper re-evaluates two prominent explanations for the cultural evolution technology: that humans are equipped with (i) social learning mechanisms minimizing information loss during transmission, (ii) creative generating via...

Abstract Interactions between humans and bots are increasingly common online, prompting some legislators to pass laws that require disclose their identity. The Turing test is a classic thought experiment testing humans’ ability distinguish bot impostor from real human exchanging text messages. In the current study, we propose minimal avoids natural language, thus allowing us study foundations of communication. particular, investigate relative roles conventions reciprocal interaction in...