Modern research demonstrates that imitation is more complex and interesting than classical theories proposed. Monkeys do not imitate whereas humans are prolific imitators. This book provides an analysis of empirical work on imitation and shows how much can be learned through interdisciplinary research ranging from cells to individuals, apes to men, and babies to adults. Covering diverse perspectives on a great puzzle of human psychology, the book is multidisciplinary in its approach to revealing how and why we imitate.
Author(s): Andrew N. Meltzoff, Wolfgang Prinz
Series: Cambridge Studies in Cognitive Perceptual Development
Edition: 1
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 365
Cover......Page 1
Half-title......Page 3
Title......Page 5
Copyright page......Page 6
Contents......Page 7
Contributors......Page 9
Acknowledgments......Page 11
An introduction to the imitative mind and brain......Page 13
Part I Developmental and evolutionary approaches to imitation......Page 29
1 Elements of a developmental theory of imitation......Page 31
2 Imitation and imitation recognition: Functional use in preverbal infants and nonverbal children with autism......Page 54
3 Self-awareness, other-awareness, and secondary representation......Page 75
4 Notes on individual differences and the assumed elusiveness of neonatal imitation......Page 86
5 Ego function of early imitation......Page 97
6 The imitator’s representation of the imitated: Ape and child......Page 110
7 Seeing actions as hierarchically organized structures: Great ape manual skills......Page 134
Part II Cognitive approaches to imitation, body scheme, and perception-action coding......Page 153
8 Experimental approaches to imitation......Page 155
9 Imitation: Common mechanisms in the observation and execution of finger and mouth movements......Page 175
10 Goal-directed imitation......Page 195
11 Visuomotor couplings in object-orientedand imitative actions......Page 218
12 On bodies and events......Page 233
13 What is the body schema?......Page 245
Part III Neuroscience underpinnings of imitation and apraxia......Page 257
14 From mirror neurons to imitation: Facts and speculations......Page 259
15 Cell populations in the banks of thesuperior temporal sulcus of the macaque and imitation......Page 279
16 Is there such a thing as functional equivalence between imagined, observed,and executed action?......Page 303
17 The role of imitation in body ownership and mental growth......Page 323
18 Imitation, apraxia, and hemisphere dominance......Page 343
Index......Page 359
