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Imprinting Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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imprinting

[ษชmหˆprษชntษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

psychological phenomenon

Imprinting is a rapid and apparently irreversible learning process that occurs during a specific time period in an animal's early development. It often refers to the way young animals form attachments to their caregivers or environments.

Synonyms

attachment, bonding.

Examples of usage

  • The ducklings showed imprinting on their mother immediately after hatching.
  • Imprinting can significantly influence animal behavior later in life.
  • Some researchers study imprinting to understand attachment in humans.
Context #2 | Verb

marking or influencing

To imprint means to mark or influence something in a way that it leaves a lasting effect. This can refer to physical imprints, like those left by a tool, or metaphorical ones, such as experiences that shape a person's character.

Synonyms

engrave, inscribe, mark.

Examples of usage

  • He hoped to imprint his values on his children.
  • The pressure of the stamp will imprint a design onto the paper.
  • Her experiences in childhood imprinted her understanding of trust.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Animal Behavior

  • Ducks are famous for imprinting, where they'll follow the first moving object they see, usually their mother.
  • Imprinting can occur in several species, including geese, chicks, and some mammals, establishing the basis of their social structure.

Psychology

  • In human development, early experiences may have a similar affect as imprinting, resulting in strong emotional bonds.
  • Attachment theory suggests early relationships shape social behavior and emotional stability later in life.

Pop Culture

  • In the animated film 'Bambi,' young deer imprint on their surroundings, learning from their parents.
  • Imprinting is also referenced in literature, symbolizing the importance of early influences in a character's development.

Research

  • Studies show that the sensitive period for imprinting varies among species, generally being most effective in the hours following birth.
  • Researchers use imprinting as a method to study learning, memory, and social bonds in various animal species.

Origin of 'imprinting'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'imprinting' comes from the word 'imprint,' which means to make a mark or pattern.
  • It was first used in a psychological context by biologist Konrad Lorenz when studying ducks.

The word 'imprint' comes from the Latin 'imprimere', which means 'to press into' or 'to stamp'. This origin reflects the physical aspect of imprinting, where a mark or impression is left on a surface. The use of 'imprinting' in psychology was popularized in the 20th century, especially in the context of animal behavior, thanks to researchers like Konrad Lorenz, who studied the behavior of greylag goose goslings. Lorenz found that, during a sensitive period shortly after hatching, these goslings would follow the first moving object they encountered, typically their mother, and this attachment was not easily changed thereafter. As the concept expanded, imprinting began to be used metaphorically in various fields, including psychology and education, to describe how early experiences shape and influence behavior and belief systems in later life.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,629, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.