imprinting

im·print·ing  (mprntng)

n.

A rapid learning process by which a newborn or very young animal establishes a behavior pattern of recognition and attraction to another animal of its own kind or to a substitute or an object identified as the parent.

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imprinting  (mprntng)

A rapid learning process by which a newborn or very young animal establishes a behavior pattern of recognition and attraction towards other animals of its own kind, as well as to specific individuals of its species, such as its parents, or to a substitute for these. Ducklings, for example, will imprint upon and follow the first large moving object they observe. In nature, this is usually their mother, but they can be made to imprint upon other moving objects, such as a soccer ball.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

imprinting - a learning process in early life whereby species specific patterns of behavior are established learning, acquisition - the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge; "the child's acquisition of language"