Lorenz (1935) study on attachment

• What was the aim of Lorenz's 1935 study into attachment?


  To investigate animal attachment in greylag geese (goslings)
• What was the sample of Lorenz's 1935 study into attachment?


  Clutch of 12 gosling eggs -> 2 groups of 6
• What was the method of Lorenz's 1935 study into attachment?


  • Field experiment
  • Independent groups design
• What was the procedure of Lorenz's 1935 study into attachment?


  • Gosling clutch divided into 2 groups of 6
  • 1 group left to hatch with biological mother
  • 1 group placed in incubator to hatch -> Lorenz present at birth (first moving thing they saw)
  • One group marked with black pen to ensure they were identified correctly when put together
  • All geese put in box together + allowed to mix
  • Box placed in barn + geese released
• What were the findings of Lorenz's 1935 study into attachment?


  • Incubator goslings followed Lorenz closely + formed rapid attachment to him as if he was their mother
  • Once both groups released in barn:
  • Group hatched with real mother ran straight to her
  • Incubator group ran directly to Lorenz
  • Imprinting took place 13-17 hours after birth
• What were the conclusions of Lorenz's 1935 study into attachment?


  • Rapid attachment to first moving object seen at birth = imprinting
  • Only occurs in critical period of 13-17 hours after birth
  • Long lasting + irreversible
  • Has effect on further mating practices (choose a mate with similar qualities to those they imprinted on)
  • Tendency to attach is innate
  • There may be a critical period for human attachments to form as well (but we do not imprint)