Since its first description, the imprinting phenomenon has been deeply investigated, and
researchers can nowadays provide profound knowledge of its functioning. Here, I present
how this peculiar form of early exposure learning can be used as a strategy to study animal
cognition. Starting from imprinting as a social trigger for the domestic chick (Gallus
gallus) and combining it with the unique possibility of accurate control of sensory experiences
in this animal model, I present evidence that in artificial environments, imprinting
serves as a rigorous test of the core domains of cognition. Whether basic cognitive concepts
are already present at birth or whether they need extensive experience to develop are
questions that can be addressed in precocial birds and still, following the tradition of the
seminal works made by Lorenz, can inform on human cognitive processing.
