Network Researchers
and Consultants Only

SOCIAL MODULATION OF LEARNING IN THE SONG SYSTEM

A simple animal model for the acquisition of social behavior is the songbird, which learns to sing in much the same way that humans learn language. In particular, normal song learning is dependent both on hearing the songs of others during a critical period, and on social cues from adults. This study will examine how those social cues (or their absence) change both brain and behavior in adult birds and in birds learning to sing. Studies in a simple animal model such as this can shed light on the neural mechanisms involved in social modulation of learning in humans.

Return to the ACTIVITIES menu

Questions or comments about this site? Contact webmaster@macbrain.org