Infant orofacial movements: Inputs, if not outputs, of early imitative ability?

Citation

O'Sullivan E & Caldwell CA (2017) Infant orofacial movements: Inputs, if not outputs, of early imitative ability?. Commentary on: Keven, N., & Akins, K. (2017). Neonatal imitation in context: Sensorimotor development in the perinatal period. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 40. doi:10.1017/S0140525X16000911. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 40, Art. No.: e398. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X16001953

Abstract
According to Keven & Akins (K&A), infant orofacial gestures may not reflect imitative responses. Here, we emphasise that these actions nonetheless represent a significant feature of the infant's early sensorimotor experience, and therefore may play a key role in the development of imitative capacities. We discuss how the ideas proposed in the target article could contribute substantially to experiential accounts of imitation.

Journal
Behavioral and Brain Sciences: Volume 40

People

Professor Christine Anna Caldwell

Professor, Psychology

• OSullivan & Caldwell_2017.pdf