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Imitative behavior. A theoretical view.

W Wyrwicka1

  • 1Department of Anatomy, University of California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90024.

The Pavlovian Journal of Biological Science
|July 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary

Imitative behavior is an innate reflex in human infants and can be triggered by social cues in animals. This innate reflex can be learned and modified through reward or inhibition, impacting social learning and behavior.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Ethology

Background:

  • Imitative behavior is a fundamental aspect of social learning across species.
  • Understanding the neural basis of imitation is crucial for developmental and comparative psychology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review experimental findings on imitative behavior in humans and animals.
  • To discuss potential brain mechanisms underlying imitation.
  • To explore the innate versus learned aspects of imitative behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Review of experimental studies on imitative behavior.
  • Analysis of spontaneous imitation in human infants.
  • Observation of imitative feeding behavior in satiated animals.
  • Examination of learned imitation in animals and children.
  • Investigation of factors influencing imitative learning, such as rewards and social presence.

Main Results:

  • Human infants exhibit spontaneous imitation of motor acts shortly after birth, suggesting an innate basis.
  • Animals show imitative feeding behavior, indicating imitation can trigger previously learned actions.
  • Imitative acts can be transformed into learned, conditional responses through reward.
  • Observing a companion perform a task facilitates learning complex motor skills in animals.
  • Imitative behavior can be modulated by antagonistic stimuli.

Conclusions:

  • Imitative behavior appears to be an innate, unconditioned reflex in humans and can be triggered by social stimuli in animals.
  • Learning and social factors significantly influence the development and expression of imitative behavior.
  • Further research into the neural mechanisms can elucidate the complexities of imitation across species.

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