Animal Studies of Attachment - Evaluation

Question 1

What is an example of another study that also found evidence of imprinting in animals?

Answer 1

Guiton (1966)

Question 2

What did Guiton (1966) find?

Answer 2

That leghorn chicks imprinted on gloves that were used to feed them in their first few weeks.

Question 3

Has the original concept of imprinting, that it is irreversible been supported or criticised?

Answer 3

Criticised.

Question 4

How has the original concept of imprinting, that it is irreversible been criticised?

Answer 4

It has been suggested that imprinting is a more ‘plastic and forgiving’ mechanism.

Question 5

Who suggested that imprinting is a more ‘plastic and forgiving’ mechanism?

Answer 5

Hoffman (1966)

Question 6

What did Guiton then find that supports the suggestion that imprinting is a more ‘plastic and forgiving’ mechanism.

Answer 6

He found that he could reverse the imprinting o chickens who had tried to mate with rubber gloves. By spending time with their own species they were able to engage in normal sexual behaviour with other chickens.