By imitating one another, called 'social mimicry', we learn from one another. But that's not all. It also helps us to affiliate and connect with others. It therefore has a very important social function.
In her PhD, BRC researcher Stefania Vacaru studied when children start to imitate others to show their desire to connect with them. Apparently children as young as 3 years old already do this. And, interestingly, the quality of the relationship between parent and child (attachment) plays a part in this!
Read the full interview with Stefania Vacaru in Hands-on Scientist, a blog that covers scientific results in an accessible way.
