Current and upcoming research projects of our working group
Individual variation and plasticity in the communicative behaviour of chimpanzees
This project examines the extent of individual variation and plasticity in, and the impact of socio-environmental factors on, communicative behaviour in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) living in three different research settings. A multimodal approach (i.e. focusing on gestures, vocalisations and facial expressions as a whole), together with a behavioural reaction norm (BRN) framework derived from behavioural ecology, will provide insight into the extent of communicative plasticity in one of our closest living relatives by disentangling variation at the individual, group and research setting levels. Data will be collected from the wild chimpanzees of the Kanyawara community (Kibale National Park, Uganda), the semi-wild chimpanzees of the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage (Zambia), and the captive chimpanzees of Zoo Leipzig and Leintalzoo Schwaigern (Germany).
This research is part of Angele Lombrey's PhD project, funded by a Freigeist Fellowship (VW Foundation) awarded to Dr Marlen Fröhlich, and is being carried out in collaboration with Prof Dr Katie Slocombe and Dr Claudia Wilke from the University of York.
Individual variation and plasticity in the communicative behaviour of orang-utans
This project investigates the influence of socio-environmental factors on the communicative flexibility of wild and captive Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii) in coordinating social action. To this end, we will use an integrated multimodal approach and a behavioural reaction norm (BRN) approach to assess within- and between-individual differences. Data on social interactions in the wild will be collected in Suaq (Gunung Leuser National Park, North-West Sumatra, Indonesia), while interactions in captivity will be observed in several European zoos (e.g. Munich and Zurich).
This research is part of Deborah Galeone's PhD project funded by a Freigeist Fellowship (VW Foundation) awarded to Dr Marlen Fröhlich. It is carried out in close collaboration with Dr Caroline Schuppli from the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behaviour and Dr Tatang Mitra Setia from the Universitas National of Jakarta.
Development and plasticity of multimodal communication during social actions in human children
This project investigates individual flexibility and differences in early human communicative behaviour, focusing on the role of gestural and vocal communication in the coordination of social actions. We will use an integrated multimodal approach to assess differences between individuals, age groups and cultural backgrounds. Social interactions will be recorded in day-care centres in Germany and in BaYaka Mbendjele villages in Congo Brazzaville, with focal children between the ages of 1.5 and 2 years or 3 and 4 years. By providing new insights into the communicative plasticity of human children, we aim to better understand the influence of socio-environmental factors on the development of multimodal communication in human children. In later stages of the project, comparisons with several great ape species will provide a better understanding of the evolutionary trajectory of hominin behaviour and communication.
This research is part of Wytse Wilhelm's PhD project funded by a Freigeist Fellowship (VW Foundation) awarded to Dr. Marlen Fröhlich.