Social learning in childhood Flashcards
What is social cognition?
A complex set of mental processes relating to understanding and predicting other people’s behaviour.
What is neonatal mimicry?
Infant replication of a model’s actions without having insight into the purpose of the action.
What is a mirror neuron?
Specific neurons that activate when you see someone perform an action and when you perform that action yourself.
Describe two pros of neonatal mimicry.
- Evolutionary pressures for interaction have equipped humans with an inborn system to match actions from birth.
- Some EEG evidence to suggest that a specialised face-processing network is active in neonates.
Describe two limitations of neonatal mimicry.
- Mirror neurons require extensive learning to create links between visual stimuli and motor actions.
- It seems close to nativism, downplaying the importance of learning and development and implies advanced cognitive abilities in newborns.
Describe social mimicry?
People mimic individuals they like, and being mimicked leads to liking your copier.
What was the difference found between 3, 4 and 6 year olds in relation to social mimicry?
- 3-year-olds spontaneously mimic videos of adults demonstrating actions
- 4- to 6-year-olds preferentially mimic and want to play more with them.
What is emulation?
Reproducing a model’s intended goal but using different actions. Requires an understanding of why the actions matter.
What is imitation?
Faithfully copying a model’s actions to reproduce the same goal as them. Does not require an understanding of the action.
What is one benefit of social learning?
Allows you to quickly gain knowledge from peers without going through trial-and-error.
What is over-imitation?
A form of social learning where individuals copy all actions displayed by a model to achieve a goal, even when those actions are inefficient.
What two theories describe why we over-imitate?
Social affiliation theories – we over-imitate because mimicry and imitation create affiliation, we copy who we like.
Normative theories – we copy because we believe the model is showing us the proper way to perform the task.
What is theory of mind?
Understanding other people as social agents with subjective mental states like beliefs, desires and intentions.
What is the difference between level 1 and level 2 perspective taking?
Level 1 perspective-taking: understanding that people can see different things.
Level 2 perspective taking: understanding that people can have different perspectives on the same thing.
What age does theory of mind typically emerge?
4 years old.
