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Davis J, Redshaw J, Suddendorf T, Nielsen M, Kennedy-Costantini S, Oostenbroek J, Slaughter V. Does Neonatal Imitation Exist? Insights From a Meta-Analysis of 336 Effect Sizes. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2021; 16:1373-1397. [PMID: 33577426 DOI: 10.1177/1745691620959834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Neonatal imitation is a cornerstone in many theoretical accounts of human development and social behavior, yet its existence has been debated for the past 40 years. To examine possible explanations for the inconsistent findings in this body of research, we conducted a multilevel meta-analysis synthesizing 336 effect sizes from 33 independent samples of human newborns, reported in 26 articles. The meta-analysis found significant evidence for neonatal imitation (d = 0.68, 95% CI = [0.39, 0.96], p < .001) but substantial heterogeneity between study estimates. This heterogeneity was not explained by any of 13 methodological moderators identified by previous reviews, but it was associated with researcher affiliation, test of moderators (QM) (15) = 57.09, p < .001. There are at least two possible explanations for these results: (a) Neonatal imitation exists and its detection varies as a function of uncaptured methodological factors common to a limited set of studies, and (2) neonatal imitation does not exist and the overall positive result is an artifact of high researcher degrees of freedom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Davis
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland
| | | | | | - Mark Nielsen
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland
- Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg
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Filippa M, Monaci MG, Young S, Grandjean D, Nuti G, Nadel J. Shall We Play the Same? Pedagogical Perspectives on Infants’ and Children’s Imitation of Musical Gestures. Front Psychol 2020; 11:1087. [PMID: 32581943 PMCID: PMC7283546 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Imitation, both gestural and vocal, has been acknowledged to be at the origin of human communication (Donald, 1991). Music is often considered to be the first means of communication of emotion via both vocal and gestural synchronization (Malloch, 1999; Malloch and Trevarthen, 2009). Instrumental music is part of the human heritage for more than 35,000 years before our era (Aimé et al., 2020). However, very little is known about the acquisition of gestures that produce sounds (i.e., musical gestures) and their role in the development of music and musicality. In the present paper, we propose that studying early synchronous imitation of musical gestures is essential both for investigating the development of the early action–perception system and for outlining early music interventions during infancy. We designed double musical objects which can be used in preschool music education for prompting synchronic imitation of musical gestures between adult and child, and between dyads of infants. We conclude by proposing a novel pedagogical perspective in music education for the early years which links the privileged orientation of infants and children towards sound discoveries with the development of perception-action coupling via imitation of musical gestures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Filippa
- Neuroscience of Emotion and Affective Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Valle d’Aosta, Aosta, Italy
- *Correspondence: Manuela Filippa,
| | | | - Susan Young
- University of Roehampton London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Didier Grandjean
- Neuroscience of Emotion and Affective Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gianni Nuti
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Valle d’Aosta, Aosta, Italy
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Nagy E, Pilling K, Blake V, Orvos H. Positive evidence for neonatal imitation: A general response, adaptive engagement. Dev Sci 2020; 23:e12894. [PMID: 31408564 PMCID: PMC7277498 DOI: 10.1111/desc.12894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The study employed four gestural models using frame-by-frame microanalytic methods, and followed how the behaviours unfolded over time. Forty-two human newborns (0-3 days) were examined for their imitation of tongue protrusion, 'head tilt with looking up', three-finger and two-finger gestures. The results showed that all three gesture groups were imitated. Results of the temporal analyses revealed an early and a later, second stage of responses. Later responses were characterized by a suppression of similar, but non-matching movements. Perinatal imitation is not a phenomenon served by a single underlying mechanism; it has at least two different stages. An early phase is followed by voluntary matching behaviour by the neonatal infant.
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Meltzoff AN, Murray L, Simpson E, Heimann M, Nagy E, Nadel J, Pedersen EJ, Brooks R, Messinger DS, Pascalis LD, Subiaul F, Paukner A, Ferrari PF. Re-examination of Oostenbroek et al. (2016): evidence for neonatal imitation of tongue protrusion. Dev Sci 2017; 21:e12609. [PMID: 28952202 DOI: 10.1111/desc.12609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The meaning, mechanism, and function of imitation in early infancy have been actively discussed since Meltzoff and Moore's (1977) report of facial and manual imitation by human neonates. Oostenbroek et al. (2016) claim to challenge the existence of early imitation and to counter all interpretations so far offered. Such claims, if true, would have implications for theories of social-cognitive development. Here we identify 11 flaws in Oostenbroek et al.'s experimental design that biased the results toward null effects. We requested and obtained the authors' raw data. Contrary to the authors' conclusions, new analyses reveal significant tongue-protrusion imitation at all four ages tested (1, 3, 6, and 9 weeks old). We explain how the authors missed this pattern and offer five recommendations for designing future experiments. Infant imitation raises fundamental issues about action representation, social learning, and brain-behavior relations. The debate about the origins and development of imitation reflects its importance to theories of developmental science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew N Meltzoff
- Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lynne Murray
- Department of Psychology, University of Reading, Reading, UK & Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Elizabeth Simpson
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | - Mikael Heimann
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Emese Nagy
- School of Psychology, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | - Eric J Pedersen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Rechele Brooks
- Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Daniel S Messinger
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | | | - Francys Subiaul
- Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Annika Paukner
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Pier F Ferrari
- Institut des Sciences, Cognitives-Marc Jeannerod, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon 1, Lyon, France
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Soussignan R, Dollion N, Schaal B, Durand K, Reissland N, Baudouin JY. Mimicking emotions: how 3–12-month-old infants use the facial expressions and eyes of a model. Cogn Emot 2017; 32:827-842. [DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2017.1359015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Soussignan
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation, CNRS-Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Nicolas Dollion
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation, CNRS-Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Benoist Schaal
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation, CNRS-Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Karine Durand
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation, CNRS-Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | | | - Jean-Yves Baudouin
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation, CNRS-Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
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Tramacere A, Pievani T, Ferrari PF. Mirror neurons in the tree of life: mosaic evolution, plasticity and exaptation of sensorimotor matching responses. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2016; 92:1819-1841. [PMID: 27862868 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Considering the properties of mirror neurons (MNs) in terms of development and phylogeny, we offer a novel, unifying, and testable account of their evolution according to the available data and try to unify apparently discordant research, including the plasticity of MNs during development, their adaptive value and their phylogenetic relationships and continuity. We hypothesize that the MN system reflects a set of interrelated traits, each with an independent natural history due to unique selective pressures, and propose that there are at least three evolutionarily significant trends that gave raise to three subtypes: hand visuomotor, mouth visuomotor, and audio-vocal. Specifically, we put forward a mosaic evolution hypothesis, which posits that different types of MNs may have evolved at different rates within and among species. This evolutionary hypothesis represents an alternative to both adaptationist and associative models. Finally, the review offers a strong heuristic potential in predicting the circumstances under which specific variations and properties of MNs are expected. Such predictive value is critical to test new hypotheses about MN activity and its plastic changes, depending on the species, the neuroanatomical substrates, and the ecological niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Tramacere
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Parma, 43100, Italy.,Deutsche Primaten Zentrum - Lichtenberg-Kolleg, Institute for Advanced Study, 37083, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Telmo Pievani
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, 35131, Italy
| | - Pier F Ferrari
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Parma, 43100, Italy.,Institut des Sciences Cognitives 'Marc Jeannerod', CNRS/Université Claude Bernard Lyon, 69675, Bron Cedex, France
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Nadel J. Perception-action coupling and imitation in autism spectrum disorder. Dev Med Child Neurol 2015; 57 Suppl 2:55-8. [PMID: 25690119 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.12689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
This paper focuses on the key function of imitation in motor and social development of typically developing infants and low-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We suggest that it might also be a developmental cornerstone for other neurodevelopmental disorders. Why this suggestion? First, imitation just requires relating one's motor patterns to perceived motor patterns. This is always possible if the actions seen are not beyond the individual's motor scope; for instance, newborn infants can already imitate tongue protrusion, eye blinking, or mouth opening, because these movements are part of their foetal repertoire. Second, imitation is a 'use it or lose it' capacity: the more it is used, the more the repertoire grows (plasticity). Finally, imitation is an efficient tool for two main adaptive functions: learning and communication. Imitation-based communication is available through the use of the two facets of imitation: imitating and being imitated. The two facets afford two roles that the partners can exchange as a turn-taking while they synchronize matched activities. Neuroimaging studies of interactive imitation have shown that such communicative systems involve a coordination of bottom-up and top-down processes. In this line, imitation is a booster of development that can also be of benefit for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Nadel
- CNRS Centre Emotion, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, La Salpêtriere Hospital, Paris, France
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Dumas G, Kelso JAS, Nadel J. Tackling the social cognition paradox through multi-scale approaches. Front Psychol 2014; 5:882. [PMID: 25161642 PMCID: PMC4130102 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Dumas
- Human Brain and Behavior Laboratory, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, FAU Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - J A Scott Kelso
- Human Brain and Behavior Laboratory, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, FAU Boca Raton, FL, USA ; Intelligent System Research Centre, University of Ulster Derry, Northern Ireland
| | - Jacqueline Nadel
- CRICM UMR-S975, UPMC-Paris 6 Paris, France ; CNRS, UMR 7225 Paris, France ; ICM Paris, France
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Abstract
AbstractThis article argues that mirror neurons originate in sensorimotor associative learning and therefore a new approach is needed to investigate their functions. Mirror neurons were discovered about 20 years ago in the monkey brain, and there is now evidence that they are also present in the human brain. The intriguing feature of many mirror neurons is that they fire not only when the animal is performing an action, such as grasping an object using a power grip, but also when the animal passively observes a similar action performed by another agent. It is widely believed that mirror neurons are a genetic adaptation for action understanding; that they were designed by evolution to fulfill a specific socio-cognitive function. In contrast, we argue that mirror neurons are forged by domain-general processes of associative learning in the course of individual development, and, although they may have psychological functions, they do not necessarily have a specific evolutionary purpose or adaptive function. The evidence supporting this view shows that (1) mirror neurons do not consistently encode action “goals”; (2) the contingency- and context-sensitive nature of associative learning explains the full range of mirror neuron properties; (3) human infants receive enough sensorimotor experience to support associative learning of mirror neurons (“wealth of the stimulus”); and (4) mirror neurons can be changed in radical ways by sensorimotor training. The associative account implies that reliable information about the function of mirror neurons can be obtained only by research based on developmental history, system-level theory, and careful experimentation.
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Simpson EA, Murray L, Paukner A, Ferrari PF. The mirror neuron system as revealed through neonatal imitation: presence from birth, predictive power and evidence of plasticity. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2014; 369:20130289. [PMID: 24778381 PMCID: PMC4006187 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2013.0289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There is strong evidence that neonates imitate previously unseen behaviours. These behaviours are predominantly used in social interactions, demonstrating neonates' ability and motivation to engage with others. Research on neonatal imitation can provide a wealth of information about the early mirror neuron system (MNS), namely its functional characteristics, its plasticity from birth and its relation to skills later in development. Although numerous studies document the existence of neonatal imitation in the laboratory, little is known about its natural occurrence during parent-infant interactions and its plasticity as a consequence of experience. We review these critical aspects of imitation, which we argue are necessary for understanding the early action-perception system. We address common criticisms and misunderstandings about neonatal imitation and discuss methodological differences among studies. Recent work reveals that individual differences in neonatal imitation positively correlate with later social, cognitive and motor development. We propose that such variation in neonatal imitation could reflect important individual differences of the MNS. Although postnatal experience is not necessary for imitation, we present evidence that neonatal imitation is influenced by experience in the first week of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Simpson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Parma 43215, Italy
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Poolesville, MD 20837, USA
| | - Lynne Murray
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 7BE, UK
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Annika Paukner
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Poolesville, MD 20837, USA
| | - Pier F. Ferrari
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Parma 43215, Italy
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Nagy E, Pal A, Orvos H. Learning to imitate individual finger movements by the human neonate. Dev Sci 2014; 17:841-57. [DOI: 10.1111/desc.12163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2010] [Accepted: 11/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emese Nagy
- School of Psychology; University of Dundee; UK
| | - Attila Pal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; University of Szeged; Hungary
| | - Hajnalka Orvos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; University of Szeged; Hungary
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12
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La vision du tout jeune enfant. ENFANCE 2014. [DOI: 10.4074/s0013754514001037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Nadel J, Dumas G. The Interacting Body: Intra- and Interindividual Processes During Imitation. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE EDUCATION AND PSYCHOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1891/1945-8959.13.2.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cognition involving others, or social cognition, is often conceptualized as the solitary, third-person computation of mental states. Relatively, little attention has been paid to how individuals use their cognitive capacities at the behavioral and brain levels in social exchanges. We introduce imitation as a valuable model of dynamic social interactive phenomena and describe laboratory procedures for studying it in behavioral and neuroimaging contexts. We review research that reveals behavioral and neural synchronization of individuals engaged in imitation. In the latter case, brain activity is correlated in imitative partners, but the pattern expressed by an individual depends on the individual’s role (i.e., model or imitator). We link these findings to theoretical notions about mirroring and mentalizing brain systems and then describe how mirroring and mentalizing support the notion of prospective cognition, even in basic forms of communication such as reciprocal imitation.
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Oostenbroek J, Slaughter V, Nielsen M, Suddendorf T. Why the confusion around neonatal imitation? A review. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2013.832180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Cook R, Johnston A, Heyes C. Facial self-imitation: objective measurement reveals no improvement without visual feedback. Psychol Sci 2012. [PMID: 23196637 DOI: 10.1177/0956797612452568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Imitation of facial gestures requires the cognitive system to equate the seen-but-unfelt with the felt-but-unseen. Rival accounts propose that this "correspondence problem" is solved either by an innate supramodal mechanism (the active intermodal-mapping, or AIM, model) or by learned, direct links between the corresponding visual and proprioceptive representations of actions (the associative sequence-learning, or ASL, model). Two experiments tested these alternative models using a new technology that permits, for the first time, the automated objective measurement of imitative accuracy. Euclidean distances, measured in image-derived principal component space, were used to quantify the accuracy of adult participants' attempts to replicate their own facial expressions before, during, and after training. Results supported the ASL model. In Experiment 1, participants reliant solely on proprioceptive feedback got progressively worse at self-imitation. In Experiment 2, participants who received visual feedback that did not match their execution of facial gestures also failed to improve. However, in both experiments, groups that received visual feedback contingent on their execution of facial gestures showed progressive improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Cook
- City University London, Department of Psychology, Whiskin Street, London, United Kingdom.
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