animal studies of attachment-LORENZ

Question 1

What are the 6 Ao1 points you must know for animal studies into attachment specifically Lorenz?

Answer 1

-Imprinting Concept
-Lorenz’s Procedure
-Findings – Imprinting Occurred
-Critical Period for Imprinting
-Irreversibility of Imprinting
- Impact on Later Mate Preferences (Sexual Imprinting)

Question 2

What is imprinting in the context of Lorenz’s study?

Answer 2

A process where young animals attach to the first moving object they see, usually occurring shortly after birth.

Question 3

What was Lorenz’s procedure with the goslings?

Answer 3

He split goose eggs into two groups: one hatched with the mother (control), and the other with Lorenz as the first moving object they saw (experimental group).

Question 4

What did Lorenz find about attachment in geese?

Answer 4

The goslings imprinted on and followed the first moving object they saw—either Lorenz or their mother—demonstrating innate attachment.

Question 5

What is the critical period according to Lorenz?

Answer 5

Imprinting must occur within a specific time after birth (usually a few hours); if missed, the animal won’t form an attachment.

Question 6

Is imprinting reversible according to Lorenz?

Answer 6

No. Once imprinting occurred, it was irreversible—goslings continued to follow Lorenz even when others were present.

Question 7

What is sexual imprinting in Lorenz’s findings?

Answer 7

Birds imprinted on humans later showed courtship behaviours toward humans, showing imprinting affects later mate preferences.