The process by which early social experience determines the object to which later sexual behaviour will be shown preferentially. In some regards, sexual imprinting is similar to filial imprinting in that both occur during a critical or sensitive period, and both are resistant to extinction or reversal, as well as having profound and lasting effects on behaviour. There are, however, at least four important differences between these two types of imprinting
1. the effect of filial imprinting occurs almost immediately, while sexual imprinting does not manifest its effects until some time after the imprinting experience has occurred (often not until sexual maturity has been attained), 2. the sensitive period for sexual imprinting occurs later and lasts longer, 3. the permanence of learning is more pronounced for sexual imprinting, and 4. preferences engendered by sexual imprinting tend to have wider generalisation, often applying to all potential mating partners, with filial imprinting being directed toward specific individuals. In another respect, both types of imprinting can be interdependent
Sexual imprinting may be compromised if animals are exposed previously to filial imprinting by means of exposure to a human or an artificial object in the sense that it reduces success at reproduction and survival
. See Ethology, Filial imprinting, Imprinting