Chickens and the Bouba-Kiki Effect: A Link Between Sounds and Shapes
Have you ever noticed how certain sounds seem to fit certain shapes? If you were asked which shape is called “bouba” and which is “kiki,” you’d likely pick the round shape as “bouba” and the spiky one as “kiki.” This phenomenon is known as the bouba-kiki effect.
Interestingly, recent research shows that baby chickens respond to these sounds in much the same way. A study published in the journal Science revealed that chicks associate “bouba” with round shapes and “kiki” with sharp ones, just like humans do.
What the Research Says
In this study, three-day-old chicks were taught to find food behind a panel with a mixed shape—blobby and spiky. Then, the researchers presented them with two options: a round shape and a spiky shape, while playing “bouba” or “kiki.” The chicks consistently preferred the rounded shape with “bouba,” and gravitated towards the spiky one with “kiki.”
A similar experiment involved even younger chicks. At just one day old, they were shown two moving shapes on video screens. Just like before, when they heard “kiki,” they moved towards the spiky shape, and when they heard “bouba,” they chose the rounded shape.
Expert Insight
Marcus Perlman, a linguistics researcher not involved in the study, expressed his surprise at the findings. He notes this effect may suggest that some innate associations exist between sound and shape, possibly rooted in our evolutionary past. He explained that these associations could have helped early humans develop language, serving as a shared foundation for creating meaningful sounds.
Broader Implications
These findings offer fascinating glimpses into animal cognition, hinting at a deeper evolutionary connection. Other studies suggest that high-pitched sounds can be associated with lighter objects, while low-pitched sounds relate to heavier ones. According to Perlman, the bouba-kiki effect is just one part of a larger pattern of sound-shape associations that occur across species.
Most importantly, while the study shows that chicks exhibit these innate responses, it doesn’t imply they have human-like language. Instead, it’s a glimpse into the sensory systems that seem to prepare vertebrates to expect certain patterns in their surroundings.
In essence, while chickens and humans may not share a language, their ability to connect sounds to shapes gives us insights into how language could evolve and emerge within species. This research not only deepens our understanding of animal perception but also sparks intriguing discussions about the origins of human communication.
For additional insights on sound and shape relationships, check out studies from Science here and related work from the University of Birmingham’s linguistics department.
