5. Acoustics and Social Behavior
263
7.8.1 Standardize Terminology and Techniques
Sounds presented with both time and frequency information and power
spectra (Busnel and Dziedic 1966) would be helpful. In addition, different
sampling rates and equipment can alter signal form analysis (Watkins 1967)
and clarification about methodologies needs to be made to avoid confusion
around the terminology of vocalizations.
7.8.2 Determine Perceptually Salient Features of Vocalizations
Increased understanding of mechanistic and perceptual classification is
needed to determine the natural boundaries of signal classification by
delphinids.
7.8.3 Enhance the Descriptive Process of Behavior
Descriptive science is often underplayed for its value in understanding
behavior. Calls with indirect (behavioral postures) or direct (physiological)
measures of the caller's affective state are good independent measures of
fear, distress, etc. and are critical to help refine the natural boundaries of
conspecific signals. Techniques to understand fundamental units of communication, both affective and referential, and their relationship with each
other may increase our abilities to extract meaning from very subtle vocal
and nonvocal signals.
7.8.4 Think About Multimodal, Interdisciplinary,
and Symbolic Possibilities
Thinking in broader terms of what and how information may be available
to dolphins may open up some fundamental possibilities of extracting the
meaning of acoustic signaling. For example, primate predator calls were
first recognized as different but thought to represent levels of threat to an
individual. Thinking in symbolic and referential possibilities opens up
potential analysis for higher levels of information content in nonhuman
species.
8. Summary
Despite recent efforts to understand both dolphin hearing and the use of
conspecific signals, little progress has been made. Major obstacles include
(1) regular access to dolphins, both underwater and in their natural social
settings; (2) full sensory and signal recording by researchers, including both
full bandwidth acoustic recordings and visual/tactile signals; (3) a lack of
understanding about modulated features of dolphin social communication
signals, including frequency, amplitude, and duration parameters, both
263
7.8.1 Standardize Terminology and Techniques
Sounds presented with both time and frequency information and power
spectra (Busnel and Dziedic 1966) would be helpful. In addition, different
sampling rates and equipment can alter signal form analysis (Watkins 1967)
and clarification about methodologies needs to be made to avoid confusion
around the terminology of vocalizations.
7.8.2 Determine Perceptually Salient Features of Vocalizations
Increased understanding of mechanistic and perceptual classification is
needed to determine the natural boundaries of signal classification by
delphinids.
7.8.3 Enhance the Descriptive Process of Behavior
Descriptive science is often underplayed for its value in understanding
behavior. Calls with indirect (behavioral postures) or direct (physiological)
measures of the caller's affective state are good independent measures of
fear, distress, etc. and are critical to help refine the natural boundaries of
conspecific signals. Techniques to understand fundamental units of communication, both affective and referential, and their relationship with each
other may increase our abilities to extract meaning from very subtle vocal
and nonvocal signals.
7.8.4 Think About Multimodal, Interdisciplinary,
and Symbolic Possibilities
Thinking in broader terms of what and how information may be available
to dolphins may open up some fundamental possibilities of extracting the
meaning of acoustic signaling. For example, primate predator calls were
first recognized as different but thought to represent levels of threat to an
individual. Thinking in symbolic and referential possibilities opens up
potential analysis for higher levels of information content in nonhuman
species.
8. Summary
Despite recent efforts to understand both dolphin hearing and the use of
conspecific signals, little progress has been made. Major obstacles include
(1) regular access to dolphins, both underwater and in their natural social
settings; (2) full sensory and signal recording by researchers, including both
full bandwidth acoustic recordings and visual/tactile signals; (3) a lack of
understanding about modulated features of dolphin social communication
signals, including frequency, amplitude, and duration parameters, both