Animal Studies Lorenz AO3

Question 1

✅ What makes Lorenz’s study on imprinting reliable?

Answer 1

Lorenz’s study is considered reliable because of its standardized procedure, including the controlled separation of goslings into two groups (those hatched with their mother and those hatched with Lorenz). This control over variables allowed the study to be replicated by other researchers, providing consistent results.

Question 2

✅ Why is Lorenz’s study considered to have good internal validity?

Answer 2

The study has high internal validity because Lorenz carefully controlled the independent variable (how the goslings hatched), ensuring that differences in attachment behavior were due to his manipulation rather than external factors.

Question 3

❌ Why is Lorenz’s study criticized for extrapolation issues?

Answer 3

Lorenz’s findings on geese may not be generalizable to humans because human infants form attachments through a gradual process rather than rapid imprinting. Geese are highly mobile from birth, needing to imprint for survival, while human infants are less mobile and do not need to form such immediate attachments.

Question 4

❌ Why is Lorenz’s study criticized for low external validity?

Answer 4

Lorenz’s study has low external validity because it was conducted in an artificial, controlled setting. The conditions, such as separating geese from their natural environment, do not reflect how geese behave in the wild. This means the findings may not apply to natural geese behavior.