<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Since its first description, the imprinting phenomenon has been deeply investigated, and researchers can nowadays provide profound knowledge of its functioning. Here, I present how this peculiar form of early exposure learning can be used as a strategy to study animal cognition. Starting from imprinting as a social trigger for the domestic chick (<italic>Gallus gallus</italic>) and combining it with the unique possibility of accurate control of sensory experiences in this animal model, I present evidence that in artificial environments, imprinting serves as a rigorous test of the core domains of cognition. Whether basic cognitive concepts are already present at birth or whether they need extensive experience to develop are questions that can be addressed in precocial birds and still, following the tradition of the seminal works made by Lorenz, can inform on human cognitive processing.</p></abstract>

Since its first description, the imprinting phenomenon has been deeply investigated, and researchers can nowadays provide profound knowledge of its functioning. Here, I present how this peculiar form of early exposure learning can be used as a strategy to study animal cognition. Starting from imprinting as a social trigger for the domestic chick (Gallus gallus) and combining it with the unique possibility of accurate control of sensory experiences in this animal model, I present evidence that in artificial environments, imprinting serves as a rigorous test of the core domains of cognition. Whether basic cognitive concepts are already present at birth or whether they need extensive experience to develop are questions that can be addressed in precocial birds and still, following the tradition of the seminal works made by Lorenz, can inform on human cognitive processing.

Hier bin Ich: Wo bist Du?

Gestalt Theory

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The Affiliative Imprinting Phenomenon in the Modern Study of Animal Cognition

Since its first description, the imprinting phenomenon has been deeply investigated, and researchers can nowadays provide profound knowledge of its...

Hier bin Ich: Wo bist Du?

Published Online: Jul 17, 2018

Page range: 189 - 205

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/gth-2018-0016

Keywords
Filial Imprinting, Attachment, Domestic Chick, Core Knowledge, Innate

© 2018 Cinzia Chiandetti, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Hier bin Ich: Wo bist Du?

Published Online: Jul 17, 2018

Page range: 189 - 205

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/gth-2018-0016

KeywordsFilial Imprinting, Attachment, Domestic Chick, Core Knowledge, Innate

© 2018 Cinzia Chiandetti, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Filial Imprinting, Attachment, Domestic Chick, Core Knowledge, Innate