Wpajanie cech człowieka na przykładzie wybranych gatunków zwierząt

Abstrakt

The paper presents the phenomenon of imprinting, a specific form of learning present in some animal species which usually results in acceptance and preference of a particular object. The characteristics of imprinting include temporal limitation and irreversibility. Various examples of imprinting include filial imprinting, resulting in following the object, and sexual imprinting, resulting in preference of animals of selected species as sexual partners. The paper provides selected examples of aberrant imprinting, in which a human being becomes the object of imprinting instead of an animal of the same species. The issue is reviewed with regards to animal domestication, breeding and reintroduction of endangered species.