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Examining Recall Memory in Infancy and Early Childhood Using the Elicited Imitation Paradigm
Published on: April 28, 2016
Do infants show generalized imitation of gestures?
Pauline J Horne1, Mihela Erjavec
1School of Psychology, University of Wales Bangor, Brigantia Building, Penrallt Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2AS, United Kingdom. p.j.horne@bangor.ac.uk
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|March 10, 2007
Summary
This study explored generalized imitation in infants. Results showed limited evidence of infants imitating novel manual gestures, even after training, suggesting further research is needed on the conditions fostering imitation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavior Analysis
Background:
- Imitation is crucial for infant learning and development.
- Understanding generalized imitation in infants is key to understanding learning processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate generalized imitation of manual gestures in 1- to 2-year-old infants.
- To explore conditions that may facilitate or inhibit generalized imitation.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments involved training infants on matching relations and testing for imitation of novel gestures.
- Probe trials and motor-skills training were used to assess imitation and repertoire.
- A multiple-baseline design across target behaviors was employed in Experiment 2.
Main Results:
- Infants did not demonstrate generalized imitation of novel manual gestures in either experiment.
- Motor-skills training confirmed behaviors were in repertoire, but imitation remained absent.
- Limited imitation of one or two target behaviors was observed in only two infants in Experiment 2.
Conclusions:
- The study found no convincing evidence for generalized imitation of manual gestures in the tested age group.
- Baseline matching was maintained, and target behaviors were in repertoire, yet imitation did not generalize.
- Further research is required to identify the specific conditions that reliably elicit generalized imitation in infants.
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