Spontaneous pointing by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) |
| |
| Authors: | Mark J. Xitco John D. Gory Stan A. Kuczaj |
| |
| Affiliation: | (1) Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Code D352, 53560 Hull Street, San Diego, CA 92152-5001, USA,;(2) The Living Seas, Epcot, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA,;(3) Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA,;(4) Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA, |
| |
| Abstract: | Two bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) participating in a symbolic communication project spontaneously developed behaviors that resembled pointing and gaze alternation. The dolphins' behavior demonstrated several features reminiscent of referential communicative behavior. It was triadic, involving a signaler, receiver, and referent. It was also indicative, specifying a focus of attention. The dolphins' points were distinct from the act of attending to or acting on objects. Spontaneous dolphin pointing was influenced by the presence of a potential receiver, and the distance between that receiver and the dolphin. These findings suggest that dolphins are capable of producing referential gestures. Accepted after revision: 14 August 2001 Electronic Publication |
| |
| Keywords: | Dolphin Pointing Cognition |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
