A duckling hatches next to a small puppy. Since the puppy is the first thing seen by the duckling, it follows the puppy everywhere and seems to assume that the puppy is its mother. This is an example of ________.
A) socialization
B) attachment
C) imprinting
D) classical conditioning

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This scenario exemplifies imprinting, which is a kind of learning that occurs during a critical period early in life, where an animal gains an attachment to the first moving object it sees, which usually ends up being its caregiver. In this case, the duckling becomes imprinted on the puppy and follows it around, assuming it is its mother. Socialization involves learning appropriate social behaviors, classical conditioning involves learning associations between stimuli, and attachment refers to the emotional bond formed between an infant and primary caregiver.

A Duckling Hatches Next to a Small Puppy