Imitation is central to human development. Imitation involves mapping between the perception and production of actions. Imitation after delays implicates preverbal memory. Imitation of people informs us about infants' processing of social events. A comprehensive theory needs to account for the origins, mechanisms, and functions of imitation. Neonatal imitation illuminates how the initial state engenders and supports rapid social learning.

中文翻译：

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婴儿模仿综合理论的要素

模仿是人类发展的核心。模仿涉及到行动的感知和产生之间的映射。延迟后的模仿暗示了语言前的记忆。模仿人告诉我们婴儿对社会事件的处理。一个全面的理论需要解释模仿的起源、机制和功能。新生儿模仿阐明了初始状态如何产生和支持快速的社会学习。