How did Lorenz conduct his experiment on imprinting?

In Lorenz's experiment on imprinting, the correct answer reflects how he explored the critical period for imprinting in birds, particularly focused on geese. He placed half the goose eggs in an incubator and made himself the first figure that the chicks saw upon hatching. This method illustrated the concept of imprinting, where young animals develop attachment and recognition of the first moving object they encounter, typically their mother.

By personally being the first object the goslings engaged with, Lorenz was able to demonstrate the powerful influence of early experiences on behaviors such as attachment and recognition in a controlled environment. This provided invaluable insights into the processes of imprinting and its significance in the development of social behavior in animals.

Other answer choices do not accurately depict Lorenz's core experiment. For instance, although raising geese in isolation would relate to attachment, it does not convey his pivotal discovery regarding the first figure seen. Placing eggs under two different mothers would not provide a clear demonstration of imprinting, as the mothers would both influence the chicks differently. Similarly, using a variety of species would complicate the specific focus Lorenz maintained on the imprinting process in one species, which was crucial for the clarity of his findings.