Understanding Imitation: The Role of Motor and Perceptual Skills
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Date
2014-06
Authors
Chesnutt, Erika Rose
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Successful imitation is essential to early learning in childhood. Imitation seems
to depend upon a host of skills; how the full complement of relevant skills jointly
support children's imitation success is not yet fully understood. We investigate
relationships between imitation and various skills in a small group of typically
developing children, in order to gain a better understanding of the package of skills
contributing to children's imitation ability. We focused in particular on children's motor
skills, employing several behavioral measures and a parent-report motor questionnaire
to assess them. As predicted, children's level of motor skill, visual-motor integration
ability, self-regulation and social understanding, and memory for action appeared to
predict imitation success, even while controlling for age. We also found that certain
measures of our parent report motor questionnaire accurately measured motor skill and
predicted imitation success. These findings support the idea that imitation ability is
complex and reflects a number of skills, including motor skills. In addition, the results
provide initial support for the utility of the parent-report motor questionnaire.
Description
76 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Human Physiology and Psychology, and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Science, Spring 2014.
Keywords
Psychology, Imitation, Child development, Motor skills, Perceptual skills, Autism, Developmental psychology