Imitation in one's own presence: No specific effect of self-focus on imitation

Khemka, Divyush; Ahmadilari, Narges; Bird, Geoffrey; Catmur, Caroline

doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2020.103194

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…For example, recent research found difficulties in replicating correlations between automatic imitation and different interindividual differences including autism-like traits, narcissism, empathy, and perspective taking (Butler et al, 2015;Cracco, Bardi, et al, 2018;Galang & Obhi, 2020;Genschow et al, 2017;Müller et al, 2013;Newey et al, 2019). Likewise, Khemka et al (2020) could not replicate the finding that sitting in front of a mirror reduces automatic imitation (Spengler et al, 2010).…”

Section: Theoretical Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Group membership does not modulate automatic imitation

Genschow

Westfal

Cracco

et al. 2021

Psychological Research

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Individuals have the automatic tendency to imitate each other. A key prediction of different theories explaining automatic imitation is that individuals imitate in-group members more strongly than out-group members. However, the empirical basis for this prediction is rather inconclusive. Only a few experiments have investigated the influence of group membership using classic automatic imitation paradigms and these experiments led to mixed results. To put the group membership prediction to a critical test, we carried out six high-powered experiments (total N = 1538) in which we assessed imitation with the imitation-inhibition task and manipulated group membership in different ways. Evidence across all experiments indicates that group membership does not modulate automatic imitation. Moreover, we do not find support for the idea that feelings of affiliation or perceived similarity moderate the effect of group membership on automatic imitation. These results have important implications for theories explaining automatic imitation and contribute to the current discussion of whether automatic imitation can be socially modulated.

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Section: Theoretical Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Group membership does not modulate automatic imitation

Genschow

Westfal

Cracco

et al. 2021

Psychological Research

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“…There are only some investigations suggesting a relation between free will beliefs and pro-social attitudes (Baumeister et al, 2009;Vohs & Schooler, 2008)-a link that does not seem to be very stable as several failed attempts in replicating this basic idea indicate (Crone & Levy, 2019;Nadelhoffer et al, 2020). Moreover, as recent research has shown that a focus on the self is not as strongly related to automatic imitation as this has been previously assumed (Khemka et al, 2021;Rauchbauer et al, 2020), we regard the alternative explanation that a focus on the self counteracted our assumed effect as rather unlikely. Nevertheless, future research may aim to test the link between free will beliefs, self-other focus and automatic imitation.…”

Section: Potential Reasons For the Null Findingmentioning

confidence: 97%

Imitation and interindividual differences: Belief in free will is not related to automatic imitation

Westfal¹,

Crusius²,

Genschow³

2021

Preprint

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It is well known that individuals have the tendency to automatically imitate each other and that such imitative behavior is fostered by perceiving intentions in others’ actions. That is, past research has shown that perceiving an action as internally driven enhances the shared representation of observed and executed actions increasing automatic imitation. An interpersonal factor that increases the perception that a behavior is internally driven is belief in free will. Consequently, we hypothesized that the more individuals believe in free will, the more they automatically imitate others. To test this prediction, we conducted two high-powered (total N = 642) and preregistered studies in which we assessed automatic imitation with the imitation-inhibition task. Contrary to our predictions, belief in free will did not correlate with automatic imitation. This finding contributes to current findings challenging the assumption that automatic imitation is modulated by interindividual differences. Further theoretical implications are discussed.

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Section: Theoretical Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Automatic imitation of in- and out-group members

Genschow¹,

Cracco²,

Crusius

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Individuals have the automatic tendency to imitate each other. A key prediction of motivational theories explaining automatic imitation is that individuals imitate in-group members more strongly than out-group members. However, the empirical basis for this prediction is rather inconclusive. Only few experiments have investigated the influence of group membership using classic automatic imitation paradigms and these experiments led to mixed results. To put the group membership prediction to a critical test, we carried out six high-powered experiments (total N = 1,538) in which we assessed imitation with the imitation-inhibition task and manipulated group membership in different ways. Evidence across all experiments indicates that group- membership does not modulate automatic imitation. These results have important implications for motivational theories explaining automatic imitation and contribute to the current discussion of whether automatic imitation can be socially modulated.

show abstract

Imitation in one's own presence: No specific effect of self-focus on imitation

Cited by 6 publications

References 43 publications

Group membership does not modulate automatic imitation

Group membership does not modulate automatic imitation

Imitation and interindividual differences: Belief in free will is not related to automatic imitation

Automatic imitation of in- and out-group members

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