Regular Article
Generalized Imitation within Three Response Classes in Typically Developing Infants

https://doi.org/10.1006/jecp.2002.2661Get rights and content

Abstract

Effects of modeling and contingent praise on infant imitation of three different responses was analyzed. Generalization to nonreinforced probe models was assessed both within and across response types. Three 12- to 14-month-old infants and their mothers participated in this study. During baseline the mothers provided models only. During treatment mothers modeled and also praised contingent upon infant matching of the training models. During interspersed probe trials the mothers modeled different responses, which, if matched by the infant, produced no praise. The three responses modeled were motor-with-toy, motor-without-toy, and vocal responses. The dependent measure was the percentage of maternal models that were matched by the infant within 6 s. Nonmatching responses of the same response type were also measured. Results showed a systematic increase in the percentages of training and probe models matched by the three infants following the introduction of the model-and-praise treatment condition. Nonmatching responses did not systematically increase. Thus, imitation generalized within response class, but not across response classes.

References (26)

  • N. Bayley

    The Bayley scales of infant development

    (1969)
  • T.A. Brigham et al.

    An experimental analysis of verbal imitation in preschool children

    Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis

    (1968)
  • Cited by (16)

    • Generalization of deferred imitation during the first year of life

      2004, Journal of Experimental Child Psychology
    • An Assessment and Instructional Guide for Motor and Vocal Imitation

      2019, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
    View all citing articles on Scopus

    Financial support for this research was made available by Grant HD 22070 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and by Professional-Staff Congress/City University of New York Research Awards No. 663434 and 627050031, Queens College/CUNY.

    f2

    Address correspondence and reprint requests to Claire L. Poulson, Department of Psychology, Queens College/CUNY, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, New York, 11367-1597. Fax: (718) 997-3257. E-mail: [email protected].

    View full text