What is the difference between imitation and imprinting?

Imitation is the process by which an individual observes and replicates the behavior of another, often as a learned behavior that can occur at any age. In contrast, imprinting is a rapid, irreversible form of learning that typically occurs during a critical developmental period, often seen in animals, where a young organism forms attachments or learns specific behaviors from a caregiver or environmental stimulus. While both involve learning from others, imitation is generally more flexible and can happen throughout life, whereas imprinting is specific and time-sensitive.