When and Why Mimicry is Facilitated and Attenuated. Issue 10 (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stel, Mariëlle; van Dijk, Eric; van Baaren, Rick B.
• Is Part Of: Social and personality psychology compass. Volume 10:Issue 10(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 561
• Page End: 574
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Social psychology -- Periodicals; Personality -- Periodicals; 302
• DOI: 10.1111/spc3.12269
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-9004

Abstract

Abstract: Although people tend to mimic others automatically, mimicry is facilitated or attenuated depending on the specific context. In the current paper, the authors discuss when mimicry is facilitated and attenuated depending on characteristics of situations, targets, and observers. On the basis of the review, the authors propose a new model – the Associated Reactions to Actions in Context model (ARAC) – to explain why and when mimicry is facilitated and attenuated. ARAC proposes that when people observe an action, reaction‐to‐action neurons fire. Which reaction is elicited depends on the (learned or innate) association with an action in that context. Thus, when mimicry is rewarding in a specific context, this response is facilitated. When mimicry is damaging, this response is attenuated, and another reaction may be facilitated instead. The authors discuss the added value of the ARAC model compared to other models explaining the elicitation of behavioral reactions.