USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) Practice Exam

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What behavioral phenomenon explains the goslings following a child pulling a toy?

Conditioning
Imprinting
Habituation
Instinct

The correct answer is: Imprinting

The correct choice, imprinting, refers to a critical period in a young animal's development during which it forms attachments and learns essential behaviors from the first moving object it encounters, usually a parent. In the case of goslings, when they hatch, they are pre-programmed to recognize and follow their mother or any other moving object that resembles her. This phenomenon is crucial for their survival, as it helps establish the bond necessary for learning where to find food and how to navigate their environment. When a child pulls a toy, the movement of the toy mimics the characteristics of their mother, prompting the goslings to follow it. This behavior illustrates the principles of imprinting because it occurs during a specific developmental phase where they are particularly sensitive to certain stimuli. Following a moving object, whether it's their mother or, in this case, a toy being pulled, exemplifies this natural instinct, highlighting the significance of those early experiences in shaping their behavior and attachment.