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Imitation and the Social Mind

Autism and Typical Development

• Edited by Sally J. Rogers, Justin H. G. Williams

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• Binding: Hardback
• Pages: 466
• Published by: Guilford Press
• Publication Date: 10th July 2006
• ISBN: 978-1-59385-311-2

About the Book

From earliest infancy, a typically developing child imitates or mirrors the facial expressions, postures and gestures, and emotional behavior of others. Where does this capacity come from, and what function does it serve? What happens when imitation is impaired? Synthesizing cutting-edge research emerging from a range of disciplines, this important book examines the role of imitation in both autism and typical development. Topics include the neural and evolutionary bases of imitation, its pivotal connections to language development and relationships, and how early imitative deficits in autism might help explain the more overt social and communication problems of older children and adults.

Reviews

'The importance of imitation as a fundamental component of social communication, and of its failure in autism, cannot be overstated. This is why imitation is one of the most active research themes in social cognitive neuroscience. The leading researchers in the field have contributed to this volume, which is vital reading for all those currently trying to understand the social mind in both typical and atypical development.' - Uta Frith, PhD, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Department of Psychology, University College London, UK

'Truly an outstanding achievement! This unique volume brings together the world's foremost developmental psychologists, clinicians, and neuroscientists studying social cognition to provide critical, in-depth, and fresh perspectives on a topic that has captured the interest of philosophers and scientists for centuries. After reading the book, one appreciates more than ever how studies of typical and atypical populations mutually enhance our understanding of development. Scientists and practitioners alike will value this exceptional book.' - Geraldine Dawson, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Washington

Table of Contents

Part I: Imitation in Typical Development. Rogers, Studies of Imitation in Early Infancy: Findings and Theories. Masur, Vocal and Action Imitation by Infants and Toddlers During Dyadic Interactions: Development, Causes, and Consequences. Carpenter, Instrumental, Social, and Shared Goals and Intentions in Imitation. Moody, McIntosh, Mimicry and Autism: Bases and Consequences of Rapid, Automatic Matching Behavior. Charman, Imitation and the Development of Language. Nadel, Does Imitation Matter to Children with Autism? Nielsen, Suddendorf, Dissanayake, Imitation and Self-recognition in Autism: In Search of an Explanation. Loth, Gómez, Imitation, Theory of Mind, and Cultural Knowledge: Perspectives from Typical Development and Autism. Hobson, Meyer, Imitation, Identification, and the Shaping of Mind: Insights from Autism. Part II: Evolutionary and Neural Bases of Imitation. Whiten, The Dissection of Imitation and its "Cognitive Kin" in Comparative and Developmental Psychology. Decety, A Cognitive Neuroscience View of Imitation. Part III: Imitation in Autism and Other Clinical Groups: Biobehavioral Findings and Clinical Implications. Rogers, Williams, Imitation in Autism: Findings and Controversies. Hepburn, Stone, Longitudinal Research on Motor Imitation in Autism. Mon-Williams, Tresilian, Measuring the Development of Motor-control Processes. Williams, Waiter, Neuroimaging Self - Other Mapping in Autism. Smith, Lowe-Pearce, Nichols, Assessment of Imitation Abilities in Autism: Conceptual and Methodological Issues. Dewey, Bottos, The Effect of Motor Disorders on Imitation in Children. Pennington, Williams, Rogers, Conclusion.

About the Author(s)

Sally J. Rogers, PhD, MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis

Justin H. G. Williams, PhD, Department of Child Health, University of Aberdeen Medical School, Aberdeen, Scotland