Imitation of modeled manipulation of objects by children and adults.

ABSTRACT

Prior studies have investigated imitation by extracting a hierarchy of goals from the key elements of action models. The theoretical model is that all ages practice a method of imitation in which goal or target elements are more easily imitated correctly, while nontarget elements are not. The present study compared error responses among 32 children and 32 adults when imitating an action model for manipulating concrete objects constructed of five elements. The results indicated that the elements for which error responses were easily produced and those for which error responses were more difficult to produce were approximately the same in children and adults. It showed that the imitation mechanisms were similar in children and adults. In addition, children had higher omissions and error responses than adults. This result suggests that imitation and differences in working memory capacity may be related.