Lorenz's research

• Aim - examine phenomenon of imprinting in non human animals using goslings
• Method- Experiment, randomly divided graylag goose eggs into two batches. One batch, the control group was hatched naturally by the mother. Second batch, were placed in an incubator, Lorenz made sure he was the first one those goslings saw. Lorenz marked the Goslings so knew which condition they were hatched in, place them under an upside down box. Box was removed and following behaviour was recorded again.
• results - straight after birth naturally hatched followed mother goose, whereas incubator hatched followed Lorenz, showing no attachment to biological mother. Imprinting occured 4-25 hours after hatching (called critical period), relationship persisted overtime and proved to be irreversible. Imprinting is a form of attachment exhibited by birds.