Naive Preference and Filial Imprinting in the Domestic Chick: A Neural Network Model

Abstract

Filial imprinting in domestic chicks is of interest in psychology, biology, and computational modeling1,2 because it exemplifies simple, innately programmed learning. Horn et al.3 have recently found a naive tendency to approach heads and necks, which develops over the course of the first three days of life. It is not species-specific; chicks respond to heads and necks of ducks and chickens equally4. This preference interacts interestingly with filial imprinting, or learning to recognize a parent. Chicks can still learn about (and imprint on) other objects even in the presence of this predisposition, and the predisposition can override previously learned preferences5. These interactions are reminiscent of other systems which rely on naive preferences and learning, not least human language acquisition, as well as human babies’ preference for human faces6.