Birdie see, Birdie do: Zebra finch observational learning in three cognitive domains with discussion of cerebellar involvement

Observational learning is a cognitive ability that allows individuals to acquire information or skills through watching others. Examples of observational learning can be seen in all major vertebrate groups and some invertebrates. Observational learning may confer a selective advantage to animals due to improvements in decision-making and increased behavioral flexibility. While studies of animals’ observational learning capabilities and the types of information acquired have been examined in many species, multiple types of observational learning have rarely been examined in non-rodent species in controlled laboratory experiments. Additionally, only recently have the neural mechanisms that support observational learning been examined. I sought to expand our understanding of avian observational learning and explore the role of the cerebellum in information acquisition. Using zebra finches I tested three types of observational learning (stimulus enhancement, observational conditioning, and imitation). I found that female zebra finches selected males based on observations of the traits of the females paired with the males but not based on observation of simply whether the male was associated with a female. Zebra finches were found to be capable of learning about the threat value of a stimulus by witnessing conspecifics undergoing tone-shock fear conditioning. However, I found no evidence that spatial information could be acquired via observation. I worked toward the goal of determining a role of the avian cerebellum in fear conditioning. Lesions of the lateral cerebellar nuclei did not interfere with fear conditioning. As humans and rodents are capable of all of these types of observational learning and have cerebellar involvement in fear conditioning, these findings illustrate a lack of conservation in observational learning and the role of the cerebellum in specific tasks across vertebrate classes. The ecological relevance of the type of information required for survival and reproduction has likely driven the evolution of observational learning in vertebrates as zebra finch ecology makes it unlikely that acquiring spatial information from conspecifics would affect fitness. Conservation of cerebellar contributions to fear conditioning may be conserved but the specific circuits involved may differ.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D. in Biological Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Hribar, Amy

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lainy B. Day
• Kenneth J. Sufka
• Karen E. Sabol

• Cerebellum
• Fear Conditioning
• Mate Quality Bias
• Observational Learning
• Spatial Escape Maze
• Zebra Finch
• Biology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/1349

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:egrove.olemiss.edu:etd-2348