Imprinting (psychology)

In psychology and ethology, imprinting is a relatively rapid learning process that occurs during a particular developmental phase of life and leads to corresponding behavioural adaptations. The term originally was used to describe situations in which an animal internalises (learns) the characteristics of a perceived object, for example of a dangerous predator or a sweet fruit.

Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, provided the first scientific explanation of how imprinting really works, developing the thesis that our brain can store experiences in its neural network through "a permanent change after an event" – one of the main functions of the long-term memory, which he called superego. Shaped by social experiences during childhood, this instance is connected to the ego (consciousness) which is necessary for controlling behaviour in order to satisfy a series of innate needs. Ultimately the imprinted superego performs the function of conscience, which makes aware of two types of feelings: warnings not to repeat wrong decisions; and anticipation of the repeated experience of satisfaction.

Even in ancient times, philosophers pondered the material properties that would be necessary for the function of ‘remembering’ and the learning process as such. To illustrate this, they imagined a kind of writing tablet in the brain, which was like soft clay and remained blank until an experience was mechanically ‘imprinted’ onto it.