Social Reactions in Imprinted Ducklings

Synopsis: Shows the effects of sequence of experimental procedures in which newly hatched ducklings were first imprinted to moving stimulus (a plastic milk bottle mounted over a model train engine) and then taught to peck a pole, using presentation of moving stimulus as a reinforcing event. Illustrates 1) duckling’s initial reaction to apparatus and to imprinting stimulus; 2) duckling’s tendencies to follow imprinted stimulus; 3) manner in which presentation and withdrawal of imprinted stimulus controls duckling’s distress calls; 4) procedure of shaping the duckling to peck the pole; 5) manner in which calls are emitted when stimulus presentation is determined by duckling’s own behaviour (via learned peck responses); 6) effects of failing to present stimulus when pecks occur (i.e. extinction;) and 7) comparison between effects of presenting moving stimulus to imprinted versus experimentally naÔve ducklings.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Film; Film. 16mm. sd. col. 21 min.
Technical information: Black-and-white / Sound
Year of production: 1968
Availability: Hire? Part of collection sold by BSIP to University of Cambridge, Department of Psychology, in Dec 1991
Uses: Psychology students.
Subjects: Biology; Psychology
Keywords: ducks; imprinting; social behaviour

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