Does mimicking others change your self-view?

J Soc Psychol. 2011 Jul-Aug;151(4):387-90. doi: 10.1080/00224545.2010.481691.

Abstract

Does mimicking affect the way you think about yourself in relation to other people? In the present study, we instructed participants to either mimic or not mimic the expressions of their interaction partner. After a 3-minute interaction, participants' self-view in relation to others was measured. Results revealed that mimickers defined themselves more in relation to others than nonmimickers. Thus, mimicking others, compared to not mimicking others, changes your self-view.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imitative Behavior / physiology*
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Self Concept*
  • Social Behavior
  • Young Adult