Comparative Biocognition

How did language and other complex communication systems evolve? Which ecological, social and endocrinological factors shaped the evolution of sophisticated communicative skills? How do communicative and underlying cognitive skills develop? How did human medical skills evolve? Which evolutionary precursors to human medical rituals and involved cognition can be found in other animal species?
These and many other questions are addressed at the Osnabrück Research Group for Comparative BioCognition (CBC).

To achieve this purpose, we explore different model systems: Children between 0 and 6 years of age, our closest living relatives, bonobos and chimpanzees, distantly related primates species, corvids and bottlenose dolphins.

Prof. Dr. Simone Pika

Das Bild zeigt Frau Prof. Dr. Simone Pika.
© SIMONE REUKAUF FOTOGRAFIE

Institute of Cognitive Science
Comparative Biocognition
Artilleriestraße 34
49076 Osnabrück, Germany

Tel.:+49 541 969-3133
 spika@uos.de

Consultation hours: on appointment

Teaching

Courses in WS 2025/26:

Introduction to Animal Cognition
Lecture, weekly on Tuesdays, from 21.10.25, 10:00-11:30, 93/E31 (Prof. Dr.  Simone Pika)

Language, Communication & Interaction
Seminar, weekly on Wednesdays , from 22.10.25, 14:00-15::00, 50/118
(Prof. Dr. Nicole Gotzner, Dr. Annette Hohenberger, Prof. Dr. Simone Pika)

Studying Primate Cognition
Block course in presence, 6x: 13.10., 15.10., 17.10., 20.10., 22.10., 24.10.25, 09:00-12:00, 68/E04 (Dr. Kayla Kolff)

Medication in Animals? State of the Art, Cognition, and Chemical Properties
Block course in presence, 9x: dates to follow
(Harshith Koppa Guruswamy, M.Sc.)

Research

Selected research projects:

In our research project ‘Taking turns: The “missing” link in language evolution?’, which is funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant from the EU, we are investigating whether co-operative speaker switching (‘turntaking’) is unique to humans, whether it is a precursor in the primate lineage, or whether it has evolved independently in different species. We want to find out which features of human turn-taking are found in different primate species and which key components of relationship quality affect the ability to alternate.

In our research project Medical Cognition, we are investigating the origins of medical systems in human and non-human primates and the factors that influence the use of medicinal plants.

Do you want to learn more?

If you are interested in our CBC workgroup, research and team, please visit our website:   www.comparative-biocognition.de