Mechanisms underlying social influences on learning

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Much of an animal's behavioural repertoire is not innate but is learned through trial-and-error and observational learning. These learning processes are not static but dynamically modulated by social interactions and cues. I will use songbirds (e.g., Bengalese finches, song sparrows) to investigate how social interactions and cues modulate the learning of vocal communication signals. Songbirds learn their vocal communication signals (i.e., song) during development by listening to and memorizing adult exemplars and use these signals during social interactions. Moreover, numerous studies have demonstrated that the acquisition of song is influenced by social interactions and social reinforcement signals. Despite the prevalence and importance of social influences on song learning, little is known about the neural mechanisms that underlie such influences. My lab will integrate neurophysiological, neurochemical, and molecular techniques to elucidate how the brain processes social cues that influence song learning. Songbirds are excellent for such mechanistic pursuits because the learning and production of song are mediated by discrete neural circuits that are accessible for monitoring and manipulation. I will first develop robust behavioural paradigms to investigate social influences on song learning. Thereafter, to reveal mechanisms of social influences, I will analyze the expression of immediate early genes, molecular markers of neural activity and plasticity, throughout the songbird brain in response to social cues that influence song learning. Furthermore, I will use neurophysiological and neurochemical techniques to analyze how neural activity and neurochemistry are affected by social cues and interactions, and will manipulate brain activity in specific brain areas to elucidate their contribution to the social modulation of vocal learning. By investigating how the brain processes and uses social information to guide song learning, my research program will provide general insight into how natural and evolutionarily important behaviours are learned as well as how social interactions and cues influence these processes.