Toddlers' responsive imitation predicts preschool-age conscience

David R Forman; Nazan Aksan; Grazyna Kochanska

doi:10.1111/j.0956-7976.2004.00743.x

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Toddlers' responsive imitation predicts preschool-age conscience

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Toddlers' responsive imitation predicts preschool-age conscience

David R Forman, Nazan Aksan and Grazyna Kochanska

Psychological science, Vol.15(10), pp.699-704

10/2004

DOI: 10.1111/j.0956-7976.2004.00743.x

PMID: 15447642

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Abstract

Imitation has long been considered a mechanism for the development of conscience. Despite the central role of imitation in theories of moral internalization, the prediction from imitation to moral behavior has not been tested using an individual differences approach. In a longitudinal design, we examined whether individual differences in toddlers' responsive imitation predict preschool-age conscience. Mothers modeled actions for their children to imitate, and both matching behavior and motivation were observed at 14 and 22 months of age. We also measured preschool conscience by observing children's internalized conduct and guilt at ages 33 and 45 months. Imitation measures consistently predicted conscience variables. These relations were strengthened by aggregation across measures and times of assessment. Motivation and matching behavior each contributed independent variance in predicting preschool-age conscience. Results are consistent with the claim that responsive imitation reflects a general receptive stance to parents' guidance, and with both neopsychoanalytic and social cognitive views of imitation's importance in early moral development.

Child Behavior

Child, Preschool

Conscience

Humans

Imitative Behavior

Infant

Infant Behavior

Motivation

Prospective Studies

Details

Title: Subtitle: Toddlers' responsive imitation predicts preschool-age conscience
Creators: David R Forman - University of Minnesota, USA. david.forman@concordia.ca
Nazan Aksan
Grazyna Kochanska
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Psychological science, Vol.15(10), pp.699-704
DOI: 10.1111/j.0956-7976.2004.00743.x
PMID: 15447642
ISSN: 0956-7976
eISSN: 1467-9280
Grant note: R01-MH63096 / NIMH NIH HHS R01 HD069171 / NICHD NIH HHS MH15755 / NIMH NIH HHS K02-MH01446 / NIMH NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 10/2004
Academic Unit: Neurology; Psychological and Brain Sciences
Record Identifier: 9984213265602771

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