Idling occurs predominantly in environments where an animal has relatively limited opportunity or stimulation to perform diverse behavioral activities and may be difficult to distinguish from resting, except that it is performed for more time than is actually required for resting. Imprinting occurs in some animal species during a critical period of development early in life and is strongly genetically predisposed. The term generally is used in reference to food. Also called accidental reinforcement or spurious reinforcement. For example a female in the proximity of a male may show a threat display toward an approaching conspecific female, which may lead to the male driving the intruder away.
Incitement generally is most common in monogamous species.