The Problem of Imitation. Advances in Child Development and Behavior Volume 4. Elsevier; 1969. pp. 209-319. [DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2407(08)60430-9]

Effect of Similarity Training on Imitation

The effect of increasing the reward value of stimulus similarity in a match-to-sample task upon subsequent imitation (behavioral similarity) was assessed. Subjects ( N = 48) were assigned to three groups: an experimental group (similarity) who received reinforcement for stimulus matching, and two control groups who served to help assess the effects of reinforcement and exposure to the match-to-sample task. Subjects were then exposed to televised models demonstrating task-oriented and task-incidental behaviors, and their subsequent imitation was observed. Only the results for males with task-incidental imitation were consistent with the hypothesis, and several research and clinical implications were discussed.

Effect of nuriturance on imitative behavior

A partial replication of Mussen and Parker (1965) tested the hypothesis that a model's nurturance enhances the imitation of task-relevant behavior but not of task-irrelevant behavior. S either interacted for 15 min. with a friendly model or played for 15 min. by herself. In a subsequent individual session the model solved three Porteus Mazes during which she performed also four irrelevant acts. Thereafter, the 24 girls had to solve the same mazes. The results confirmed the hypothesis.