Objective
A number of experiments were carried out of the sensitive period for song learning in the zebra finch and factors affecting this period. Results indicate that adult males may alter their songs, but that usually this does not involve restructuring, but rather smaller adjustments, leading to a better match of a male's song with that of its companions. Thus a limited amount of flexibility is maintained into adulthood. Sensitive periods are not caused by one unitary mechanism but involve a number of subprocesses.
To examine which factors in the social interactions between pupil and tutor effect song learning and sexual imprinting, experiments were carried out in which the correlation between the type of interactions and the likelihood of copying the tutor's song was studied.
Studies have also been conducted on how acquired information is used by the birds to construct their internal representations of songs and preferences, as well as on the mutual interactions between song learning and imprinting.
These studies have identified characteristics of behavioural development which may apply to developmental processes other than those studied.
Studies on the development of social and sexual preference
(imprinting) as well as studies on song learning in birds have contributed a great deal to understanding behaviuoral development in animals and humans. The aim of this grant proposal is to enable a cooperative research project on a comparison of these processes by studying them in what has shown to be an excellent model species: the zebra finch. Combining the expertise which yhe two research groups have, a number of experiments are proposed. The study of these will greatly improve knowledge about imprinting and song learning as individual processes; about their interaction, and about the fundamental processes underlying the development of behaviour in general.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
9712 CP GRONINGEN
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.