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The Effect of Enforced Exposure to Live Models on The Reversibility of Attachments in White Peking Ducklings

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Abstract

Salzen’s (1962) neuronal model hypothesis of imprinting was tested using white peking ducklings and live hens with no previous maternal experiences as stimulus objects. One model was an adult white peking duck, and the other model was an adult rouen duck. The subjects were reared with their models for 24 hr. and tested for their preferences. They were then reared for an additional 24 hr. with the other model and again tested. The results indicated that the subjects reared with the rouen duck would not alter their initial preference. Subjects reared with the white peking model reversed their initial preference, but not to a statistically significant degree. The results do not completely support Salzen’s hypothesis.

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Reference Notes

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Kenneth G. Thurston

    Present address: Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, 21228, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Avian Behaviour Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2N2

    L. James Shapiro & Kenneth G. Thurston

Authors
  1. L. James Shapiro
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  2. Kenneth G. Thurston
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Additional information

This publication represents Contribution No. 1 from the Avian Behaviour Laboratory. Portions of this article were presented at the March, 1972 meeting of the Southern Society for Philosophy and Psychology, St. Louis, Missouri. This article was supported by funds from Grants 431-1665-09 and 431-1665-10 from the University of Manitoba Research Board.

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Shapiro, L.J., Thurston, K.G. The Effect of Enforced Exposure to Live Models on The Reversibility of Attachments in White Peking Ducklings. Psychol Rec 28, 479–485 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394560

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394560

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