Cited by 683Action Observation and SynchronizationPsychology of Social InfluenceChild and Animal Learning Development

Mimicry and Prosocial Behavior

van Baaren, Rick B., Holland, Rob W., Kawakami, Kerry, van Knippenberg, Ad·2004·Psychological Science

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that mimicry occurs unintentionally and even among strangers. In the present studies, we investigated the consequences of this automatic phenomenon in order to learn more about the adaptive function it serves. In three studies, we consistently found that mimicry increases prosocial behavior. Participants who had been mimicked were more helpful and generous toward other people than were nonmimicked participants. These beneficial consequences of mimicry were not restricted to behavior directed toward the mimicker, but included behavior directed toward people not directly involved in the mimicry situation. These results suggest that the effects of mimicry are not simply due to increased liking for the mimicker, but are due to increased prosocial orientation in general.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1111/j.0963-7214.2004.01501012.x

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1 of 1 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • When people are unaware that their behavior is being copied, being mimicked increases their altruistic behavior.

    “altruistic behavior (van Baaren, Holland, Kawakami, & van Knippenberg, 2004)”

    From Social attitudes modulate automatic imitation (2010) · cites this paper as van Baaren, Holland, Kawakami, & van Knippenberg, 2004

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Authors
van Baaren, R. B., Holland, R. W., Kawakami, K., & van Knippenberg, A.
Affiliations
  • University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  • Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
Venue
Psychological Science
Published
2004-01
Volume
15
Issue
1
Pages
71-74
ISSN
  • 0956-7976 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-9280
OpenAlex
W2115725315
Cited by
683
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 60 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 54 · 2015: 39 · 2014: 41 · 2013: 43 · 2012: 37
FWCI
21.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Psychology of Social Influence
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
Keywords
mimicry, prosocial behavior, automatism, helping behavior, generosity, prosocial orientation, interpersonal liking
MeSH terms
Female, Humans, Imitative Behavior, Male, Social Behavior

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