What are three examples of imprinting?
One type of learning is imprinting. Imprinting occurs when an animal learns to make a particular response to a particular object. This process is very rapid. The usual pattern is an “instantaneous” and “irreversible” alteration of behavior. Some examples of imprinting include filial imprinting and sexual imprinting. Filial imprinting is the process by which animals develop a social attachment to a particular object. For example, mallard ducks will imprint upon any obvious stimulus (ducks, other birds, people, flashing lights) as “mother”, and will follow this stimulus for the duration of their early development. Filial imprinting occurs during a fixed window of time called a “sensitive period”. Sexual imprinting is the process by which animals learn to direct their sexual behavior at particular objects or stimuli. For example, birds such as mallards and zebra finches will imprint upon the birds they are raised with during the first few weeks of life.
