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The influence of incubatory photic stimuli on chicks' visual intensity preference for approach behavior
Author(s) -
Metcalfe John
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.420090108
Subject(s) - flicker , stimulus (psychology) , photic stimulation , psychology , photic zone , imprinting (psychology) , visual perception , neuroscience , cognitive psychology , biology , perception , computer science , ecology , biochemistry , phytoplankton , nutrient , gene , operating system
Incubating chicks were presented with a high‐intensity or low‐intensity photic flicker stimulus, or with no photic stimulation. The chicks were tested at 16 hr posthatching for approach behavior, or at 96 hr for imprinting performance to the 2 visual flicker stimuli. The data were analyzed in accord with the arguments of whether those stimuli that effectively elicit approach behavior are determined by interaction between maturation and experience or by a genetic program. The results show that prehatch exposure to photic flicker stimuli affects initial approach behavior and imprinting performance, supporting the interaction position in opposition to the genetically programmed position.