Anyone who has observed or played with young children probably has noticed how they imitate what they see--their friends, siblings, parents, and teachers; television, movie, and book characters; and sometimes even their family pets. Frequently, this imitation can help children learn appropriate behaviors, attitudes, and thinking patterns.…

Attempts to define and clarify the concept of response uncertainty of the observer in imitation through a review of research on imitation. (CM)

Observed liberal-stringent model behavior significantly affected both the subject's subsequent self-reward behavior and performance. (Authors)

Effects of symbolic modeling processes on exploration were investigated. Written narration reporting a novel experience was the symbolic model. Subjects read the material 1 or 3 times (Familiarity), with 1, 8, or 15 inserted exploration statements (Frequency), where such statements were specific or diversive (Exploration Type). With increased…

The influence of peer models on changing the impulsive response styles of fourth and sixth grades was experimentally investigated. (DP)

Studies the shifts in perspective that take place as young men move from the status of private citizens to that of probationary police officers. (Author)

Replicated a New York City study of completed suicides by persons 19 years old or younger, in metropolitan districts of Ohio, Texas and California, following broadcast of four fictional television films on suicide. Found the impact of movies varied by metropolitan area. Analyzed geographic differences in suicide response, emphasizing that…

An adult model (teacher) displayed a preference for the doll least selected by the children in her classroom. Indications were that children in the experimental classes imitated the preference of their teacher in selecting their favorite doll at the completion of the experimental period. (Author/CB)

Selected vocal and gestural imitation items were presented to twenty-four 8-, 14- and 20-month-old boys and girls in an elicited task situation. Both vocal and gestural imitation increased with age, although for each age group there was significantly more gestural than vocal imitation. (BD)

Mentoring provides both a holistic and individualized approach to learning. A mentor-protege relationship also serves various professions by the teaching and learning of relevant skills and values. Proteges learn risk-taking behaviors, communication skills, political skills, and specific skills from their mentors. (DF)

Six studies relevant to the analysis of generalized imitative behavior are described. The first examined the role of verbal instructions in generalized imitation by comparing the use of a "do this" instruction with no such instruction and the use of positive reinforcement with no reinforcement. The tenacity of generalized imitation in this study…

Current writings on death and dying are trichotomized into prescientific, quasi-scientific, and scientific. Research findings should not be treated as equally valid; some methods may be used to supply hypotheses, others to test them, and still others to further validate the previous findings. (Author)

Only recently have imitation researchers turned their attention to the effects on the model of being imitated by observers. This report outlines and reviews the findings of research in the developing paradigms. Four paradigms into the effects of being imitated are examined briefly: (1) operant strengthening paradigm; (2) classical conditioning…

Relevance of cognitive and developmental variables to observational learning and imitation is also discussed. (Authors/MB)

Investigating the effect of age and temporal placement of a modelled skill on performance of a balance task of 60 boys (seven and nine years old) indicated significant effects of age, temporal appearance of the model, and an interaction of model by age for time on-balance. (Author/PN)