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

The results established that newborn imitation is not constrained to a few privileged oral movements, and support Meltzoff and Moore's hypothesis that early imitation is mediated by 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.