Imprinting
Imprinting is a term used to describe the phase-sensitive attachment seen in some animals and in humans.
The classic demonstration of imprinting was performed by Konrad Lorenz. He was working with Greylag geese, and showed that imprinting behaviour consists of three parts:-
Lorenz also observed the following:-
The classic demonstration of imprinting was performed by Konrad Lorenz. He was working with Greylag geese, and showed that imprinting behaviour consists of three parts:-
- At some time after hatching the gosling will start to follow the first conspicuous object it sees (the following response)
- After following the object for a number of hours the hatchling will start to develop an attachment for the object
- Once an animal has imprinted, it develops a sexual preference, when it is mature, for the object on which it imprinted
Lorenz also observed the following:-
- Imprinting is rapid (sometimes occurring within minutes)
- Imprinting is unreinforced (no reinforcer is necessary for the response to occur)
- Imprinting occurs during a clearly defined period (known as the critical period)
- Imprinting is irreversible
