Eco-evo-devo and iterated learning: towards an integrated approach in the light of niche construction

Abstract

In this paper we argue that ecological evolutionary developmental biology (ecoevo-devo) accounts of cognitive modernity are compatible with cultural evolution theories of language built upon iterated learning models. Cultural evolution models show that the emergence of near universal properties of language do not require the preexistence of strong specific constraints. Instead, the development of general abilities, unrelated to informational specificity, like the copying of complex signals and sharing of communicative intentions is required for cultural evolution to yield specific properties, such as language structure. We argue that eco-evo-devo provides the appropriate conceptual background to ground an account for the many interconnected genetic, environmental and developmental factors that facilitated the emergence of an organic system able to develop language through the iterated transmission of information. We use the concept of niche construction to connect evolutionary developmental accounts for sensory guided motor capacities and cultural evolution guided by iterated learning models. This integrated theoretical model aims to build bridges between biological and cultural approaches.

Revisiting the hypothesis of language retrogenesis from an evolutionary perspective.

“…Specifically, we support the view that biological changes that brought about our species also favored the creation of the cultural niche that enabled the sophistication of languages through a cultural mechanism (see Benítez-Burraco & Progovac, 2020, for a detailed discussion). We find this view in line with eco-evo-devo theories in biology, according to which organisms evolve as a result of the interactions between their genes, their developmental paths, and the environments in which they live (Gilbert et al, 2015;Segovia-Martín & Balari, 2020).…”