title: Associative learning measured with ERP predicts deferred imitation using a strict observation only design in 14 to 15 month old children.
abstract: Deferred imitation (DI) is an established procedure for behavioral measurement of early declarative-like memories in infancy and previous work has indicated a link between this type of memory and brain potentials in infants. The present study compared infants' memory performance in this paradigm with electrophysiological indices of associative learning. Thirty children (M = 14.5 months) participated, of which 15 (8 boys) had acceptable event-related potentials (ERP) recordings that could be included in the final analysis. Deferred imitation was measured with an observation-only procedure using three actions and a 30 min delay. ERP was recorded with a high-density electrode net (128 electrodes) during associative learning. Change scores based on Nc, a middle latency component associated with attentional processes, predicted deferred imitation performance. Thus, associative learning measured with ERP predicts deferred imitation using a strict observation only design in 14 to 15 month old children.
authors: Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. mikael.heimann@liu.se
authors: Mikael
authors: M
authors: Heimann
authors: Emelie
authors: E
authors: Nordqvist
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Rudner
authors: Mikael
authors: M
authors: Johansson
authors: Magnus
authors: M
authors: Lindgren
mesh_terms: D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000502:physiology