Constitutional biases in early perceptual learning: II. Visual preferences in artificially selected, visually naive and imprinted quail chicks (C. coturnix japonica).

Tested approach choices in genetically and environmentally manipulated quail chicks with pairs of stimuli identical in size and luminance but different in color, flicker, or both color and flicker. Data indicated comparable flicker and vastly different color preferences in Ss that were bidirectionally selected for color choices. In the choices between composite stimuli, flicker effects dominated over color effects in genetic controls, and color effects over flicker effects in selected Ss. Imprinting to colors modified color preferences, but imprinting to white or colored flicker did not change, or only marginally changed, flicker preferences. Flicker in testing stimuli, however, influenced the phenotypic expression of acquired color preferences. Implications concerning the nature of constitutional biases and constitution–environment interactions in early perception and perceptual learning are discussed. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)