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

Creating Interactive Websites with Flash

Flash ActionScript is a powerful and versatile too that can be used to create dynamic and interactive websites. In this session we will present two approaches to using Flash. We will begin with a demonstration of Prezi, a presentation tool, followed by Pachyderm. Both are web-based multimedia programming or multimedia creation experience. Then we will demonstrate how to utilize some basic Flash ActionScript code and programming using Adobe Flash CS3 to create a basic dynamic website

Consuming Lifestyles: Transforming the Body and the Self in Postfeminist America

126 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001.My inquiry revolves around three case studies of American celebrity-fitness and celebrity-feminist icons constituted during 1980s and 1990s America: actress Jane Fonda, infomercial queen Susan Powter, and talk show host Oprah Winfrey. I point to the troubling effects of the articulations between feminism and fitness and examine the contemporary American therapeutic cultures of recovery and renewal and what has come to constitute empowerment in the American postfeminist era.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD