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Related Experiment Videos

Mimicry and prosocial behavior.

Rick B van Baaren1, Rob W Holland, Kerry Kawakami

  • 1University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. r.vanbaaren@psych.kun.nl

Psychological Science
|January 14, 2004
PubMed
Summary
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Unintentional mimicry, even between strangers, boosts helpfulness and generosity. This automatic social behavior increases prosocial orientation, benefiting interactions beyond the mimicker.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Mimicry, the automatic imitation of others' behaviors, is a common social phenomenon.
  • Previous research indicates mimicry occurs unintentionally, even among strangers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the consequences of unintentional mimicry.
  • To understand the adaptive function of mimicry in social interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Three experimental studies were conducted.
  • Participants were either mimicked or not mimicked.
  • Subsequent prosocial behavior was measured.

Main Results:

  • Mimicked participants exhibited significantly higher levels of helpfulness and generosity.

Related Experiment Videos

  • These prosocial effects extended to individuals not directly involved in the mimicry.
  • Increased liking for the mimicker did not fully explain the observed prosocial behavior.

    • Conclusions:

    • Mimicry enhances general prosocial orientation.
    • The adaptive function of mimicry may lie in its ability to foster broader social cooperation.
    • Mimicry serves as a mechanism for increasing general prosocial behavior.