Imprinting

My area is evolutionary mammalian anatomy, which has steered me towards this forum.
I have been following the work of an institute in Europe which has been breaking down the steps by which a Zebra Finch acquires it's Sexual Orientation.
As they detail, the infant bird makes a determination of "appropriate mate" and testosterone "fixes" this template in the brain.
In general, the elemental reproductive behavior traits of all vertebrates share certain common components, especially the hormones testosterone and estrogen. That is, human testosterone, given to a male fish, will induce mating behaviors. Again in general, testosterone is testosterone, and is constant across species lines.
Given the extreme complexity of that chemical and the complexity of the reactions in the tissues of vertebrates, Nature will stick with what works. Or, Nature does not re-invent the wheel with each species.
If we posit an origin for human Sexual Orientation in the same pattern as that of the Zebra Finch, then a number of unusual attributes of Sexual Orientation are explained.
Sexual Orientation is highly resistant to change. We may alter our behavior, but it is much more difficult to alter our desire.
The infant male Zebra Finch uses visual and other "clues" to identify the female ( appropriate mate). When succesful his template will lie relatively dormant until puberty when an inflow of testosterone recalls the identity.
We humans would go through a similar process, the difference being in the nature of the elements of the template; the "clues".
Where hypnosis comes into play is when we consider a behavior which is individually and socially damaging: pedophilia.
I believe that the dedicated pedophile is expressing a Sexual Orientation towards children. The resistance of this behavior to remediation is characteristic of any Sexual Orientation.
The postings immediately previous to mine address the use of hypnosis to alter behavior which was acquired pre-verbal.
If this is indeed possible, then I see no reason why the "mistaken" Sexual Orientation of the pedophile cannot be corrected.
There are specific elements which the infant human uses, before age 3, to identify an "appropriate mate". These are not unlike (in kind) the traits used by the Zebra Finch.
The limited knowledge of Erikson's methods impressed me tremendously(!).
I'd be interested in sharing my findings with someone who practices Erikson therapy, in order to see if something could be done to protect children and to "re-claim" pedophiles.
Best regards
A.F.Smith

Replies:

Re:Imprinting, by Joe the sorry , 03/29/02

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