title: The relation between mirror self-image reactions and imitation in 14- and 18-month-old infants.
abstract: Previous research suggests that sensitivity to aspects of the self and others develop in tandem. We tested 14- and 18-month-olds' imitative abilities and mirror self-image reactions (i.e., testing behavior and passing the mark test). Results showed that 14-month-olds' imitation was closely related to the occurrence of testing behavior in front of the mirror, where they checked whether they could control the movements of the mirror image. Eighteen-month-olds, however, no longer showed this relation. Furthermore, in 18-month-olds, we found a high association between imitation and passing the mark test. These correlations suggest that infants' mirror self-image reactions and imitation share the ability to detect and produce visual-motor contingencies.
authors.affiliation: Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany. Electronic address: norbert.zmyj@rub.de.
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zmyj
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Prinz
authors.forename: Moritz M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Daum
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D012649:Self Concept
keywords: Contingency; Imitation; Mirror image; Self-recognition; Testing behavior