Talk:Imprinting/@comment-33124368-20171008022113

Now, I'm not a huge fan of the books, and I honestly don't think that Myer gave this issue any more than a passing thought. but I'd like to put my two cents in in hopes of contributing some semblance of reason where contextually there is likely none.

Personally, I theorize that the purpose of the imprint may be more emotional/psychological than anything else.

Shape-shifters are depicted as animalistic individuals with a high propensity for violence. The imprintee creates a sense of priority which supersedes those of tribe honor and battle-glory. Thus, the bond between imprinter and imprintee may serve to stabilize shifters and help to preserve the species by preventing young males from launching themselves into frivolous confrontations that may prove fatal.

For example, individuals such as Jack and Paul are portrayed as much more stable and reasonable once having imprinted. It forces them to think of a future hinged not only upon their immediate actions but their being there in the foreseeable future.

This makes some sense from a biological standpoint given that it helps to promote the longevity of fertile specimens who now have an even greater potential of passing on their shifter genes.