Konrad Lorenz

Konrad Zacharias Lorenz (November 7, 1903 – February 27, 1989) was an Austrian zoologist and ornithologist. He is often regarded as one of the founders of modern ethology, though strictly speaking he helped to develop an approach that began with an earlier generation, for example his teacher Oskar Heinroth. He studied instinctive behaviour in animals, especially in greylag geese and jackdaws. Working with geese, he rediscovered the principle of imprinting (originally reported by Douglas Spalding in the 19th century) in the behaviour of nidifugous birds, and his writings led to its adoption within psychology. He also made important contributions to the theory of instinct. Lorenz was for a time a member of the Nazi party and that has led many to call his scientific work into question. While much of his theoretical work is outdated, and some of it does seem to reflect the political views he supported at various times, his empirical contributions remain of the first importance.

See also

• List of Austrian scientists
• List of Austrians