A Stimulus Control Analysis of Imprinting in a Human-Reared Pigeon

摘要: Events that occur early in the life of birds greatly influence social and sexual preferences throughout course life. Traditionally, this is explained by a learning process known as imprinting. Young are thought to imprint stimuli, causing development permanent for those stimuli. In present study, imprinting examined with respect behaviors an adult human-reared pigeon several conditions. The subject was either presented no stimulus, conspecific novel human or stimuli simultaneously. Several phases within these conditions were employed pinpoint variables produced most behavior. results showed while some unclear behavior, other very clear indications preference humans fear conspecifics. suggest concept may not be needed explain subject, operant contingencies play large role