Strange Quark Today

It is now thought that processes very much like imprinting exist in every social species, particularly those in which there are parent-young relation ships. However, in the case of species in which there are extended periods of parental care, it is apparent that the period of primary socialization occurs over a more extended length of time than it does in, say, chickens or ducks. Dogs, for example, cannot be made into pets if they have not had con tact with human beings during the period of primary socialization. Freedman, King, and Elliott have found that the age of three and a half to nine-to-thirteen weeks of age approximates a critical period in dogs for socialization to human beings, with the age of seven weeks being the most sensitive time. Similarly, if kittens are not handled during the period after the eyes are open up to the time of weaning, they always remain somewhat wild and fearful of people. Finally, it is evident, and others) that orphaned children can grow up to be incurably uncivilized, being unable to maintain friendships or to establish permanent social relationships, and so on, if not given the opportunity to undergo normal socialization at an early age, due to lack of contact with people. [...]