Imitation in newborn infants: Exploring the range of gestures imitated and the underlying mechanisms.

TLDR

A common representational code may unite the perception and production of basic human acts. The study evaluated the psychological mechanisms underlying imitation of facial actions in young infants. The study examined imitation of facial actions in young infants, using novel nonoral gestures such as head movement and tongue protrusion to probe underlying mechanisms. Results showed imitation of both displays, including memory‑based imitation after the gestures stopped, indicating that newborn imitation is not limited to a few privileged oral movements and supports Meltzoff and Moore's hypothesis of an active cross‑modal matching process.

Abstract

This study evaluated the psychological mechanisms underlying imitation of facial actions in young infants. A novel aspect of the study was that it used a nonoral gesture that had not been tested before (head movement), as well as a tongue-protrusion gesture. Results showed imitation of both displays. Imitation was not limited to the intervals during which the experimenter's movements were displayed; Ss also imitated from memory after the display had stopped. The results established that newborn imitation is not constrained to a few privileged oral movements. The findings support Meltzoff and Moore's hypothesis that early imitation is mediated by an active cross-modal matching process. A common representational code may unite the perception and production of basic human acts.