Praxic and executive components in tool use learning: The role of imitation

Abstract

Recent research in comparative psychology suggests that similarities between the behaviour of two individuals may not be the consequence of imitation only, but also of nonimitative social-learning processes. In the present study we aimed to investigate whether these alternative learning processes can take place in human adults, specifically in patients whose ability to imitate has been reduced by brain damage. Left (LBD) and right (RBD) brain-damaged patients were asked to perform four tool use tasks in three experimental conditions: exposure to the apparatus (N); demonstration of the correct solution (C); and demonstration of a failed attempt followed by the correct solution to the problem (I + C). Results suggest that the left hemisphere is indeed critical for action and that selective neuropsychological deficits can affect action imitation and selection of goal-directed movements, independently from each other. Findings also indicate that when the ability to imitate actions is lowered emulation may become available.

Behavioral evidence for left-hemisphere specialization of motor planning

“…First, limb apraxia, an impairment in the representation of limb movements or their selection or retrieval, is strongly associated with left-hemisphere damage (Haaland et al 2000; Leiguarda and Marsden 2000; Lunardelli et al 2008; Liepmann 1920; Rothi and Heilman 1997). Second, converging evidence in participants with (congenital) left-hemisphere damage shows that these participants have difficulties to anticipate their grip to the upcoming goal in an object manipulation task, which is a clear indication that they have impaired motor planning (Crajé et al 2009; Mutsaarts et al 2007; see also Hermsdorfer et al 1999).…”