The Evolution of Communication (Bradford Books) [Paperback]

Marc D. Hauser (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0262581558 | ISBN-13: 978-0262581554 | Publication Date: May 27, 1997

Bound to become a classic and to stimulate debate and research, The Evolution of Communication looks at species in their natural environments as a way to begin to understand what the real units of analysis of communicating systems are, using arguments about design and function to illuminate both the origin and subsequent evolution of each system. It lights the way for a research program that seriously addresses the problem of how communication systems, including language, have been designed over the course of evolution.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Few writers have so far even attempted a general overview ofanimal communication, so Marc Hauser's book is timely if notoverdue. Hauser brings to the task a formidable knowledge of the field(his bibliography contains some 1,500 items) plus a lucid style and aninfectious enthusiasm that carry one smoothly through an immense mazeof information and make complex biological theories accessible even tothe uninitiated. For anyone concerned with the comparative study ofcommunication, this book is likely to remain an indispensable sourcefor some time to come." Derek Bickerton , Nature

About the Author

Marc D. Hauser is Professor of Psychology and Codirector of the Mind, Brain, and Behavior Program at Harvard University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 776 pages
• Publisher: A Bradford Book (May 27, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262581558
• ISBN-13: 978-0262581554
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.7 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,307 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EOC -- Brings Animal Cognition to the forefront., March 29, 2000

By 

Sean Bennett (Naperville, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Evolution of Communication (Bradford Books) (Paperback)

The Evolution of Communication gives a distintive opinion of evolutionary psychology, animal cognition, and cognitive neuroscience. Easy to read and understand, many of the hypotheses and comments of Marc Hauser are now being applied to larger academic issues, such as the "concept acquisition" problem in philosophy. The strengths of this book lie in its overarching predictions, and the supplemental and thorough examples.