What is the Theory of Ethology?

Question

Can anyone explain the theory of ethology to me in layman's terms? I understand that Konrad Lorenz came up with the concept of imprinting, but how does the theory relate to humans? What importance does it hold?

Answer 1

Ethology is the study of behavior within a specific environmental context.  Sentient beings are born with various innate behavior traits which are manifested and modified by the type of environment in which they are exposed.

For example, if a duckling is exposed to a human moving about in its visual space shortly after birth, it will tend to bond to the human, just as it would to its natural mother.