At its core, evolution is a mathematical phenomenon. We typically understand this through the lens of probability: if a mutation diminishes the odds of reproduction, it is factored out of the population in proportion to its disadvantage.
ElementOP introduces the 'evolutionary algebra' inherent to the imprinting process, revealing how the imprinting process allows animal nervous systems to evolve in relation to anticipated object type, rather than object form.
Consider the function A = B(x). In this evolutionary algebra, A represents the solution: the specific, realized form of a critical environmental object, such as a mother or mate. B represents the innate processing rule, such as the imprinting window itself, while x is the variable input, the aspect-identifying signal encountered in the environment.
It is already established science that imprinting is a synthesis where the form of an object, identified by aspect during the critical imprint window, is "imprinted" upon an animal's nervous system to determine later perception. ElementOP is the first book to identify the specific evolutionary benefit of the imprinting process, which is that it accelerates the rate of evolution itself. The primary evolutionary advantage conferred is an increased persistence rate for beneficial mutations in a species, and the ability of animals to evolve in relation to morphs not yet existent.
Without imprinting, evolution would grind to a halt. Any perceptible mutation would suffer summary rejection, rendering even beneficial morphs 'negative' simply because they look different.
Consider the launch of an improved product. If a new product variant provides a clear benefit, but is rejected by consumers, the invention dies with the creator. Any evolutionary benefit that leads to rejection by an animal's pack or environment is a lineage-terminating mutation.
The broader evolutionary script of a species changes over countless generations, but beneficial mutations often occur in a single generation to a single member of a mating pair. Imprinting solves this by reducing these 'difference penalties,' facilitating the acceptance of new morphs, and realization of mutational benefit, within one generation.
ElementOP reveals the specific evolutionary purpose of imprinting, classifies imprinting as a synapomorphy process trait, and introduces the concept of 'reproductive algebra.' Finally, it takes these theoretical frameworks and applies them to us, proposing the very first map of the imprinting process in human beings.
This book introduces three new theories in order to identify the missing elements of ontogenetic plasticity. These three new ethological theories are presented independently of each other, and are each demonstrated separately.
⢠That ethological imprinting is a process trait present in all advanced species. ElementOP demonstrates this, in part through analysis of splits in the animal phylogenetic tree, where non-convergent instances of imprinting are used to indicate shared ancestry.
⢠That the evolutionary advantage imprinting provides is an advantage to the evolutionary process itself, allowing evolution in relation to organism and object type, as opposed to form. ElementOP shows how imprinting removes the 'difference penalties' which would otherwise terminate perceptual mutations in new morphs.
⢠That ethological imprinting processes which shape behavioural perception are identifiable in humans.
Note: This is a theory book intended for readers who have a high school and/or undergraduate level understanding of biology.
