Farmer, Harry ORCID: 0000-0002-3684-0605, Ciaunica, Anna and Hamilton, Antonia F. de C. (2018) The functions of imitative behaviour in humans. Mind & Language, 33 (4). pp. 378-396. ISSN 0268-1064 (Print), 1468-0017 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/mila.12189)

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Abstract

This article focuses on the question of the function of imitation and whether current accounts of imitative function are consistent with our knowledge about imitation's origins. We first review theories of imitative origin concluding that empirical evidence suggests that imitation arises from domain‐general learning mechanisms. Next, we lay out a selective account of function that allows normative functions to be ascribed to learned behaviours. We then describe and review four accounts of the function of imitation before evaluating the relationship between the claim that imitation arises out of domain‐general learning mechanisms and theories of the function of imitation.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	imitation, evolution, function, mimicry, social cognition, social interaction
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified:	30 Apr 2020 18:13
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/26821

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