Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Study Motor Skill Learning by Single-pellet Reaching Tasks in Mice
Published on: March 5, 2014
Effect of learning on imitation of new actions: implications for a memory model
Alessia Tessari1, Dasa Bosanac, Raffaella Ida Rumiati
1Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat, Bologna, Italy. alessia.tessari@unibo.it
Abstract:
The effects of learning on strategy selection in the context of action imitation have been investigated in two experiments conducted with healthy individuals. It was predicted that, once learnt, meaningless actions are processed by the cognitive system as meaningful and this new representational status might influence the process selection in action imitation. Results showed that not only were learnt meaningless actions processed in the same way as known, meaningful actions, but that they were imitated even better, probably due to their being represented only once in the episodic, long-term memory system. Our findings are interpreted in the light of a multiple route model for action imitation.
Related Concept Videos
Nonconscious Mimicry
Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory
Cognitive Learning
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
Observational Learning
Steps in the Modeling Process
Attention is the first necessary component for observational learning. It involves focusing on what the model is doing and saying. For example, if you decide to take a drawing class to enhance your skills, you need to pay close attention to the instructor's words and hand movements. The characteristics of the model significantly...
Implicit Memories
One key aspect of implicit...

