Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Neural Regulation01:37

Neural Regulation

44.0K
Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.
44.0K
Nonconscious Mimicry01:13

Nonconscious Mimicry

5.2K
Nonconscious mimicry occurs when individuals alter their mannerisms to match the behaviors and expressions of those nearby, without intention.
5.2K
Observational Learning01:12

Observational Learning

1.2K
Albert Bandura's observational learning, also known as imitation or modeling, occurs when a person observes and imitates another's behavior. It is a quicker process than operant conditioning. A well-known example is the Bobo doll study, where children who saw an adult acting aggressively towards the doll were more likely to act aggressively when left alone, compared to those who observed a nonaggressive adult. Many psychologists view observational learning as a form of latent learning...
1.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Altered aperiodic EEG spectral power during speech perception task is associated with verbal communication in youths with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Language network functional connectivity in infancy predicts developmental language trajectories.

Developmental cognitive neuroscience·2026
Same author

Objective Quantification of Tremor and Gait After Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy: Outcome Variability and Adverse Effects.

Neurosurgery·2026
Same author

Atypical Predictive Processing Is Associated With Sensory Over-Responsivity in Autism.

Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism Research·2026
Same author

Neural network-assisted personalized handwriting analysis for Parkinson's disease diagnostics.

Nature chemical engineering·2026
Same author

Access to movement disorders care and advanced surgical therapies in a tertiary care center.

Frontiers in neurology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 17, 2026

Measuring Statistical Learning Across Modalities and Domains in School-Aged Children Via an Online Platform and Neuroimaging Techniques
08:05

Measuring Statistical Learning Across Modalities and Domains in School-Aged Children Via an Online Platform and Neuroimaging Techniques

Published on: June 30, 2020

8.2K

Race modulates neural activity during imitation.

Elizabeth A Reynolds Losin1, Marco Iacoboni, Alia Martin

  • 1Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7085, USA. ereynol@ucla.edu

Neuroimage
|November 9, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Race influences imitation and cultural learning. Brain activity differs when imitating different racial groups, with more activation when imitating African Americans, suggesting race impacts social cognition.

More Related Videos

Using the Race Model Inequality to Quantify Behavioral Multisensory Integration Effects
08:13

Using the Race Model Inequality to Quantify Behavioral Multisensory Integration Effects

Published on: May 10, 2019

6.9K
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotion Regulation
14:04

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotion Regulation

Published on: August 26, 2011

13.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 17, 2026

Measuring Statistical Learning Across Modalities and Domains in School-Aged Children Via an Online Platform and Neuroimaging Techniques
08:05

Measuring Statistical Learning Across Modalities and Domains in School-Aged Children Via an Online Platform and Neuroimaging Techniques

Published on: June 30, 2020

8.2K
Using the Race Model Inequality to Quantify Behavioral Multisensory Integration Effects
08:13

Using the Race Model Inequality to Quantify Behavioral Multisensory Integration Effects

Published on: May 10, 2019

6.9K
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotion Regulation
14:04

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotion Regulation

Published on: August 26, 2011

13.3K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Social Psychology
  • Cultural Learning

Background:

  • Imitation is key to cultural acquisition, influenced by perceived self-similarity, prestige, or success.
  • Race can signal self-similarity or status, thus affecting imitation choices.
  • Previous neuroscience research on imitation has overlooked the role of race.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the neural underpinnings of imitation, specifically how race influences brain activity during this process.
  • To examine if racial differences in imitation extend to passive observation of actions and faces.

Main Methods:

  • fMRI was used to measure brain activity in European American participants.
  • Participants imitated meaningless gestures from actors of their own race and two racial outgroups (African American, Chinese American).
  • Control conditions included passive observation of gestures and viewing of faces from these actors.

Main Results:

  • Differential activation in frontal, parietal, and occipital areas was observed during imitation of different racial groups.
  • Greater neural activity was noted when imitating African Americans compared to other groups.
  • Distinct neural patterns emerged during imitation versus passive observation; own-race face viewing showed heightened responses.

Conclusions:

  • Neural mechanisms of imitation are modulated by the race of the imitated individual.
  • Differences in imitation-related brain activity may reflect factors like experience, attitudes, or perceived social status.
  • This study provides initial neuroscientific insights into race-influenced cultural learning.