Nevertheless, learning experiences have been shown to influence various aspects of reproductive behavior in a wide range of species. Thus, we're interested in how learning or experience influences sexual behavior, courtship, and mate choice. By studying learning in a response system that is closely linked to adaptation and fitness, it can be determined whether or not learning mechanisms in more traditional experimental preparations also operate in a more natural system. Our most recent focus has been on the neurobiology of learning and motivated behavior. In mammals, dopamine has long been thought of as the neurotransmitter most involved in reward.
Studies investigating the role of dopamine in motivated behaviors are prevalent in mammals.
Such evidence is sparse in avian species. We are currently working on investigating the role of dopamine in drug reward using an avian species. The results of this research will provide a comparative flavor to the literature and may also contribute to our understanding of general processes of dopamine reward. Eventually, we would like to investigate the role of dopamine in sexual behavior and sexual learning. Since we are concerned with the extent to which sexual behavior is open to modification by learning, the research requires that we control the experiential history of the subjects.