Proposes a cognitive theory of imitation based on Piaget's interpretations in which imitation is considered one form of overall cognitive functioning instead of a special mechanism for response acquisition. Other theories of imitation, and relevant empirical literature are reviewed and reinterpreted from the cognitive perspective. (DP)

Suggests several factors to account for the onset of infant-adult joint attention initiated by the infant, and identifies several consequences of infants' understanding of others as intentional subjects, such as verbal development and infants' role in their own enculturation. Contends that infants learn referential gestures not only by imitation…

Compared the gestures of typical human infants, children with autism, chimpanzees, and human-raised chimpanzees. Typical infants differed from the other groups in their use of: triadic gestures directing another's attention to an outside entity; declarative gestures; and imitation in acquiring some gestures. These differences derive from an…