Baby Chicks Exhibit Bouba-Kiki Effect, Linking Sounds to Shapes

Research published in the journal Science indicates that baby chickens exhibit the bouba-kiki effect, a phenomenon where individuals associate certain sounds with specific shapes, similar to humans. This effect typically involves linking the nonsense word "bouba" with rounded shapes and "kiki" with spiky, jagged forms.

This finding emerged from experiments conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Padova in Italy. The study aimed to investigate whether such innate associations exist in animals, particularly at a very early stage of life, to determine if these links are based on experience or are inherent.

Investigating Innate Associations

In one experiment, three-day-old chicks were trained to find food behind a panel displaying a combination of blobby and spiky shapes. Subsequently, when presented with separate rounded and spiky panels and played either the "bouba" or "kiki" sound during a moment of uncertainty, the chicks showed a significant preference.

They generally approached the rounded panel when hearing "bouba" and the spiky panel when hearing "kiki."

A similar experiment involved one-day-old chicks and two video screens showing moving objects. When the "kiki" sound was played, chicks moved towards the spiky shape. Conversely, upon hearing "bouba," they approached the rounded, blob-like shape. Chicks of this age naturally gravitate towards engaging moving objects.

Deep Evolutionary Roots

Researchers suggest that while chicks do not possess human language, they exhibit basic linkages between different types of perception.

This observation implies that the sound-shape association is deeply rooted in evolution, potentially tracing back to a common ancestor of birds and mammals.
This suggests that vertebrate sensory systems might be predisposed to recognize certain regularities in the environment.