Week 4 Blog

Source 1:

Kuczaj II, Stan A. "Language Learning in Cetaceans." Encyclopedia of Language Development. Edited by Patricia J. Brooks and Vera Kempe. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2014, pp. 329-31. SAGE Knowledge. 25 Apr 2022, doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781483346441.n103.

Language Learning in Cetaceans

I find this article through Sage Knowledge. I searched "dolphin behavior," which is one of the results shown. The research is about language learning and factors affecting language learning activities. The author described dolphins' vocal learning starting with their mother by mimicking their mothers' sounds. Dolphins have their unique sounds, so the dolphins can also identify which dolphin is their mother by learning the sounds. The bounding between unique sounds is what builds dolphins' communication systems. The study shows a similar learning pattern in dolphins compared to humans. As human beings, most people learn their first words from their parents because the sounds they listen to repeat so many times. The specific area this study covers is dolphins' communication system and how it was developed.

Source 2:

KUCZAJ II, STAN A., John D. Gory, and Mark J. Xitco Jr. "How intelligent are dolphins? A partial answer based on their ability to plan their behavior when confronted with novel problems." Japanese Journal of Animal Psychology 59.1 (2009): 99-115.

How intelligent are dolphins

I find this article through Google Scholar. I searched "dolphin problem-solving abilities" and found many exciting studies relating to problem-solving abilities. The research is about dolphins' ability to plan activities and have recognition of their behaviors. The author described dolphins' activities through different experiments to test if they learn from each other and understand different actions. The conclusion base on the finding reassured dolphins' thinking abilities, and they can process information in their mind. The study shows how dolphins are capable and have the intelligence for more complicated tasks with complex problems. The specific area this study covers is dolphins' brain functioning system and information reception and processing capabilities.

Conclusion: In this research study, I learned how to find resources more efficiently with key words by using different databases. I did have problems with finding the studies I want at first, but by adding more information to search, articles became more focused. In future study, I would like to focus on getting the broader idea but also the details.