title: Learning to imitate individual finger movements by the human neonate.
abstract: Imitation in human neonates, unlike imitation in young infants, is still regarded as controversial. Four studies with 203 newborns are presented to examine the imitation of index finger, two- and three-finger movements in human neonates. Results found differential imitations of all three modelled gestures, a left-handed pattern, and a rapid learning mechanism. The lateralized behavioural pattern suggests the involvement of a right lateralized neural network, and the mechanisms described in this study - (i) the accurate imitation of all aspects of the model's movements, (ii) the rapid learning component, and the (iii) the early sensitive period might fulfil the criteria for filial imprinting.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: Emese
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: Hajnalka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Orvos
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology*; D007839:Functional Laterality; D005868:Gestures; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*