A new study reports that monkeys prefer humans who imitate them over those who don’t. Mimicry may be an ancient behavior for primates to form social groups. Observing how imitation promotes bonding in primates may lead to insights in disorders in which imitation and bonding is impaired, such as certain forms of autism.
To investigate, an international research team studied capuchin monkeys, a highly interactive species that forms strong social groups. The study was described in the August 14, 2009, issue of Science.
