D.J. Ujfalussy , A. Gergely , A. Kis , H. Bolló , J. Topál
{"title":"From simple behavioural tests to EEG measurements: Studying linguistic competence in dogs","authors":"D.J. Ujfalussy , A. Gergely , A. Kis , H. Bolló , J. Topál","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106594","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This critical review examines non-human manifestations of linguistic competence and its precursors, with a focus on findings from studies on domestic dogs (<em>Canis familiaris</em>). Previous research – including both theoretical reviews and empirical studies – has widely demonstrated that the domestic dog serves as an ideal natural model for studying a broad range of cognitive and behavioural traits shared with humans. Studies also indicate that dogs can interpret human communication cues in a remarkably child-like manner; they possess functionally human-analogous, voice-sensitive cortical regions and show specific neural responses to speech. Moreover, some dogs show evidence of learning word-object associations in ways unprecedented among nonhuman species. Together, these findings strongly support the translational value of dog-human comparisons for exploring the evolution of skills related to faculties of language and suggest that dogs may serve as models for studying natural variability in children’s world learning abilities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"285 ","pages":"Article 106594"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159125000929","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This critical review examines non-human manifestations of linguistic competence and its precursors, with a focus on findings from studies on domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). Previous research – including both theoretical reviews and empirical studies – has widely demonstrated that the domestic dog serves as an ideal natural model for studying a broad range of cognitive and behavioural traits shared with humans. Studies also indicate that dogs can interpret human communication cues in a remarkably child-like manner; they possess functionally human-analogous, voice-sensitive cortical regions and show specific neural responses to speech. Moreover, some dogs show evidence of learning word-object associations in ways unprecedented among nonhuman species. Together, these findings strongly support the translational value of dog-human comparisons for exploring the evolution of skills related to faculties of language and suggest that dogs may serve as models for studying natural variability in children’s world learning abilities.
期刊介绍:
This journal publishes relevant information on the behaviour of domesticated and utilized animals.
Topics covered include:
-Behaviour of farm, zoo and laboratory animals in relation to animal management and welfare
-Behaviour of companion animals in relation to behavioural problems, for example, in relation to the training of dogs for different purposes, in relation to behavioural problems
-Studies of the behaviour of wild animals when these studies are relevant from an applied perspective, for example in relation to wildlife management, pest management or nature conservation
-Methodological studies within relevant fields
The principal subjects are farm, companion and laboratory animals, including, of course, poultry. The journal also deals with the following animal subjects:
-Those involved in any farming system, e.g. deer, rabbits and fur-bearing animals
-Those in ANY form of confinement, e.g. zoos, safari parks and other forms of display
-Feral animals, and any animal species which impinge on farming operations, e.g. as causes of loss or damage
-Species used for hunting, recreation etc. may also be considered as acceptable subjects in some instances
-Laboratory animals, if the material relates to their behavioural requirements