Animal study into attachment: Lorenz’ research
Aim: To examine ‘imprinting’ behaviour in goslings, that being where animals follow
and form an attachment based on the first thing they see after birth.
Procedure: Lorenz randomly divided goose eggs, half were hatched in an incubator in
front of Lorenz (so he was their first encounter) The other half were hatched with the
mother. Once hatched, the two groups were mixed, and Lorenz observed who or what
they followed.
He varied the time between birth and seeing a moving object in order to measure the critical
period of imprinting.
Results: Lorenz found that the geese imprinted on the first thing they saw within a critical period of
4-25 hours after hatching. The relationship persisted even when they were mixed with the control
group of goslings, this was allegedly an irreversible effect.
Conclusion: imprinting is an innate form of attachment in birds
Sexual imprinting variation:
Studied the relationship between imprinting and adult mate preferences, case study of a Peacock
born in reptile house of giant tortoises, would only display courtship towards giant tortoises, Lorenz
suggests it sexually imprinted onto the tortoises.
Evaluation of Lorenz’ research A03
Contradictory research findings: Lorenz suggested that sexual imprinting was permanent and
irreversible, however research by Guiton disputes the permanence. Found chickens would sexually
imprint on yellow rubber gloves if exposed to them after hatching, however they eventually went to
mate with other chickens, suggesting Lorenz’ theory has a lack of credibility in terms of support, as
imprinting can be reversed, opposing his theory.
Generalisability issues: It is difficult to extrapolate findings of birds and apply it to humans, as
mammalian attachment differs significantly to birds, although it has helped us understand general
attachment, we must generalise with extreme caution. However, Seebach used the principles of this
research to describe an action known as ‘baby duck syndrome’ whereby this behaviour can be seen
similar in humans, for example, computer users become attached to the first system they use and so
remain with that system and reject others, so perhaps there is some applicability to humans.
Positive effects of the critical period: its findings have been highly influential within the field of
developmental psychology. the fact that imprinting is seen to be irreversible (as suggested in
Lorenz's study) suggests that attachment is under biological control and that attachment formation
happens within a specific time frame. This is a strength because it led developmental psychologists
(such as Bowlby) to develop well recognised theories of attachment suggesting the attachment
formation takes place during a critical period and is a biological process. Such theories have been
highly influential in the way childcare functions, suggested Lorenz’ research has high practical value.
Aim: To examine ‘imprinting’ behaviour in goslings, that being where animals follow
and form an attachment based on the first thing they see after birth.
Procedure: Lorenz randomly divided goose eggs, half were hatched in an incubator in
front of Lorenz (so he was their first encounter) The other half were hatched with the
mother. Once hatched, the two groups were mixed, and Lorenz observed who or what
they followed.
He varied the time between birth and seeing a moving object in order to measure the critical
period of imprinting.
Results: Lorenz found that the geese imprinted on the first thing they saw within a critical period of
4-25 hours after hatching. The relationship persisted even when they were mixed with the control
group of goslings, this was allegedly an irreversible effect.
Conclusion: imprinting is an innate form of attachment in birds
Sexual imprinting variation:
Studied the relationship between imprinting and adult mate preferences, case study of a Peacock
born in reptile house of giant tortoises, would only display courtship towards giant tortoises, Lorenz
suggests it sexually imprinted onto the tortoises.
Evaluation of Lorenz’ research A03
Contradictory research findings: Lorenz suggested that sexual imprinting was permanent and
irreversible, however research by Guiton disputes the permanence. Found chickens would sexually
imprint on yellow rubber gloves if exposed to them after hatching, however they eventually went to
mate with other chickens, suggesting Lorenz’ theory has a lack of credibility in terms of support, as
imprinting can be reversed, opposing his theory.
Generalisability issues: It is difficult to extrapolate findings of birds and apply it to humans, as
mammalian attachment differs significantly to birds, although it has helped us understand general
attachment, we must generalise with extreme caution. However, Seebach used the principles of this
research to describe an action known as ‘baby duck syndrome’ whereby this behaviour can be seen
similar in humans, for example, computer users become attached to the first system they use and so
remain with that system and reject others, so perhaps there is some applicability to humans.
Positive effects of the critical period: its findings have been highly influential within the field of
developmental psychology. the fact that imprinting is seen to be irreversible (as suggested in
Lorenz's study) suggests that attachment is under biological control and that attachment formation
happens within a specific time frame. This is a strength because it led developmental psychologists
(such as Bowlby) to develop well recognised theories of attachment suggesting the attachment
formation takes place during a critical period and is a biological process. Such theories have been
highly influential in the way childcare functions, suggested Lorenz’ research has high practical value.
