Question

According to Meltzoff and Moore (1983), the ability of a child to imitate the facial and hand movements of adults

A) Develops around age 5
B) Is present from birth
C) Emerges during adolescence
D) Is unrelated to social interaction

Answer 1

Meltzoff and Moore's study indicates that children have the ability to imitate adults' facial and hand movements from birth, a capability that aligns with the sensorimotor stage of development in Piaget's theory.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Meltzoff and Moore (1983), the ability of a child to imitate facial and hand movements of adults is present from birth. This early imitative ability is part of the sensorimotor stage of development, which is the first stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development. During this period, which lasts from birth to about 2 years old, children learn about the world through their senses and motor behavior. Infants demonstrate the capacity to imitate adult behaviors even before they have developed language skills, illustrating the importance of imitation in the learning and developmental process.