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Updated: May 22, 2026
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Examining Recall Memory in Infancy and Early Childhood Using the Elicited Imitation Paradigm
Published on: April 28, 2016
Is there evidence for automatic imitation in a strategic context?
Balazs Aczel1, Bence Bago, Andrei Foldes
1Department of Affective Psychology, Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary. aczel.balazs@ppk.elte.hu
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|May 4, 2012
Summary
This study challenges the idea that imitation in the rock-paper-scissors game proves unconscious human imitation. Replicating prior experiments with a larger sample size, we found no support for automatic imitation, suggesting further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Social Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Observing actions increases imitation likelihood, suggesting automaticity.
- Previous research claimed unconscious imitation occurs in the rock-paper-scissors (RPS) game.
- This claim implies imitation happens without conscious control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the claim of automatic imitation in the RPS game.
- To test the robustness of previous findings through replication.
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms of imitative behavior.
Main Methods:
- Replication of a prior experiment investigating imitation in the RPS game.
- Utilized a doubled sample size compared to the original study.
- Included a thorough examination of original and replicated data analyses.
Main Results:
- The replication study's results did not support the original conclusion of automatic imitation.
- Detailed analysis of the original data also did not confirm the claim.
- Evidence for unconscious imitation in the RPS game was not found.
Conclusions:
- The claim that imitation in RPS demonstrates unconscious human imitation is not supported by the evidence.
- Further research is required to understand the subsidiary factors influencing player behavior in RPS.
- The theory of automatic imitation in strategic games warrants further investigation with refined methodologies.
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