Evren C. Tumer is a researcher whose work with Michael S. Brainard tested how small variations in a practiced skill can support further motor learning. Their 2007 study examined adult Bengalese finch song, which is highly repeatable but still varies slightly between performances. They asked whether this variation was merely unavoidable noise or could provide alternatives from which learning selects.[ref]
Performance variability enables adaptive plasticity of crystallized adult birdsong by Evren C. Tumer and Michael S. Brainard. Abstract and author byline; Nature 450, 1240–1244, 2007
A computerized system measured the pitch of selected song elements and delivered an auditory disruption for only some of the naturally occurring variations. The birds shifted pitch to avoid the disruption, with changes restricted to the targeted features. The experiment therefore linked a measurable action, its outcome and a later change in performance. It showed that a stable adult skill can contain useful variation on which adaptive motor learning operates.[ref]
Performance variability enables adaptive plasticity of crystallized adult birdsong by Evren C. Tumer and Michael S. Brainard. Abstract and Figures 1–4: contingent feedback, targeted changes and timing controls
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