Learning to imitate individual finger movements by the human neonate

Emese Nagy (Lead / Corresponding author), Attila Pal, Hajnalka Orvos

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    30 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Imitation in human neonates, unlike imitation in young infants, is still regarded as controversial. Four studies with 203 newborns are presented to examine the imitation of index finger, two- and three-finger movements in human neonates. Results found differential imitations of all three modelled gestures, a left-handed pattern, and a rapid learning mechanism. The lateralized behavioural pattern suggests the involvement of a right lateralized neural network, and the mechanisms described in this study - (i) the accurate imitation of all aspects of the model's movements, (ii) the rapid learning component, and the (iii) the early sensitive period might fulfil the criteria for filial imprinting.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)841-857
    Number of pages17
    JournalDevelopmental Science
    Volume17
    Issue number6
    Early online date22 Apr 2014
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Nov 2014

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Cognitive Neuroscience
    • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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