Song Learning: Innate Species Differences in the Learning Process
Published 1 January 1984
Peter Marler
Citations82
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TL;DR
A new model of the auditory storage process is presented and auditory templates are postulated for detecting species-specific vocal signals, storing them, and using them specifically to guide vocal development by auditory feedback.
Abstract
Normal song development results from the interaction of auditory information that is learned and stored, with central motor programs and auditory templates that are innately different from species to species. Learning is selective and based on a process of stimulus-triggered cue storage. A new model of the auditory storage process is presented. Auditory templates are postulated for detecting species-specific vocal signals, storing them, and using them specifically to guide vocal development by auditory feedback. The templates are of two kinds, active and latent. Lacking species-specific auditory stimulation, some templates remain latent and uninvolved in song development, hence the abnormality of song in birds reared in isolation. When activated, the templates provide the basis for memorizing learned songs and converting them into motor patterns by auditory feedback.
Keywords
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