Is Imprinting Such a Special Case

摘要: As the result of relatively brief exposure to a particular type object early in life, many birds and mammals will form strong exclusive attachments that object. This is known as `filial imprinting'. Early experience can also have long-lasting effects on sexual preferences, but conditions are different from those which first formed. Some characteristics imprinting undoubtedly because naive animal searching for responding selectively stimuli. But not all. At least two types plastic change seem be involved: establishing an internal representation familiar pre-emptive capturing by systems controlling filial behaviour and, much later development, behaviour. The second likely generate phenomenon sensitive period gives formation social some its other peculiar properties. process used most forms recognition. Distinguishing between sub-processes underlie overall serves make overdue links areas knowledge about learning hitherto been poorly connected.