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Comment
. 2017 Jan:40:e400.
doi: 10.1017/S0140525X16001965.

Animal studies help clarify misunderstandings about neonatal imitation

Elizabeth A Simpson  1 , Sarah E Maylott  1 , Mikael Heimann  2 , Francys Subiaul  3 , Annika Paukner  4 , Stephen J Suomi  4 , Pier F Ferrari  5
Affiliations
Comment

Animal studies help clarify misunderstandings about neonatal imitation

Elizabeth A Simpson et al. Behav Brain Sci. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

Empirical studies are incompatible with the proposal that neonatal imitation is arousal driven or declining with age. Nonhuman primate studies reveal a functioning brain mirror system from birth, developmental continuity in imitation and later sociability, and the malleability of neonatal imitation, shaped by the early environment. A narrow focus on arousal effects and reflexes may grossly underestimate neonatal capacities.

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