title: Confrontational scavenging as a possible source for language and cooperation.
abstract: The emergence of language and the high degree of cooperation found among humans seems to require more than a straightforward enhancement of primate traits. Some triggering episode unique to human ancestors was likely necessary. Here it is argued that confrontational scavenging was such an episode. Arguments for and against an established confrontational scavenging niche are discussed, as well as the probable effects of such a niche on language and co-operation. Finally, several possible directions for future research are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Linguistics, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1890 East-West Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA.
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bickerton
authors.forename: Eörs
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Szathmáry
mesh_terms: D000378:Agonistic Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D001070:Appetitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008954:Models, Biological; D053001:Tool Use Behavior / Q000502:physiology