Thesis supervisor: László Zsolt Garamszegi
Location of studies (in Hungarian): TTK Biológiai Intézet Abbreviation of location of studies: Biol.
Description of the research topic:
Several aspects of our life including how we think about our history, how we speak, how we dress and, more recently, how we use the internet, are determined by processes of cultural evolution. However, cultural evolution is not only specific to humans, but some whales and birds can also copy pieces of information from each other, and these systems often serve as models for human language. Our team aims at identifying elements of cultural evolution in the song of small passerine bird that breeds in the Pilis Mountains. We have developed a semi-automatic syllable categorization method, by which could establish a universal syllable library for the studied population. This unique system allows us to investigate fascinating questions about cultural evolution. What do individuals copy from each other, and why they do it? What are the mechanisms of copying? Do these mechanisms generate temporal and/or spatial variations in song content, i.e. do birds have dialects? What are the implications of the network organization of syllable sharing for human language? If you are interested in finding answers to these questions with us, we welcome you to join our team. We seek highly motivated and hardworking students, who are enthusiastic to join our research. During the course of the project, the candidate can participate in the fieldwork, will have an opportunity to learn and perform sophisticated statistical analysis and write scientific papers.
Required language skills: angol Recommended language skills (in Hungarian): magyar Further requirements: kutatás iránti elkötelezettség
Number of students who can be accepted: 2
Deadline for application: 2014-11-27
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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