Evolution of social connection by

Evolution of social connection by communication The human social brain constructs connection and understanding by anthropomorphic projection as discussed by Nick Epley in his chapter. When we observe the behavior of nonhuman entities, anthropomorphic projection may form a feeling of social connection. Social connection depends in part on empathic responses to observed action. It has been argued that this same foundation is the basis for the evolution of language as well--observed action may be the foundation for language.” A mirror neuron theory of the evolution of language starts with the assumption that we understand others by observing their actions. Communication depends on the regularization of typical actions that can be pantomimed. In principle this could lead to a kind of manual gestural system of communication akin to sign language. Hand and arm movements can depict a wide range of actions both by first- person depiction of an action such as screwing the top onto a jar and by third- person depictions such as using the fingers to portray a person walking. Hand and arm postures can depict objects such as a cupped hand representing a bowl. Combining sequences of such object and action depictions can communicate relatively complex messages even without a formal language. This is a far cry from sign languages in which the mapping between hand shapes and movements is not visually transparent in this way. But as the pressure to communicate a broader range of messages increases, a manual gestural language would have to be modified to reflect more abstract Page |71 symbols ultimately leading in the direction of a sign language. However, this kind of manual language has one major drawback. Communication depends on visual contact. In order to understand a gestural message it is necessary to see the hand movements. This limits the distances over which communication can take place. Moreover, a communication system that is effective for a group should not depend on face-to-face dyadic interaction, but allow for more broadcast communications. There is a great survival advantage in being able to maintain social connection and convey information over distances that go well beyond face-to-face communication. Many species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals commonly exchange information at a distance through vocalizations. The learned songs (and some calls) of songbirds are particularly rich sources of information conveying, to the receiver, individual identity and a host of other characteristics of the sender. Some mammals exchange information at great distances through calling behavior. Humpback whale vocalizations are perceived over extremely long distances and may be used to maintain social groups at distances as great as 5 km. African elephants can recognize friends and relatives from their calls at a distance of 2.5 km. Human sheepherders keep each other company from the top of one mountain to another in the Canary Islands using a whistled language called Silbo Gomero. Whether for purposes of mating, threat, warning, or social organization, conveying information regarding location, identity and motivation, and directed at one individual or towards far-flung groups, HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_021317