Within minutes of birth, babies can imitate their parents' facial expressions. If you stick out your tongue at a newborn infant, they will respond by sticking out their own tongue.
Now, researchers at the University of Dundee are pioneering the theory that these imitation processes could hold the key to reaching out to those whose communication skills are impaired, such as those who are deaf blind, autistic or suffering from Alzheimers.
The Department of Psychology has teamed up with the University of Bergen, Norway - one of the world's leaders in imitation research - to explore the potential that imitation holds for helping people with impaired communicative abilities. The first symposium ever to take place with the aim of shedding light on this possibility begins tomorrow, April 24, at the University of Dundee.
Dundee's Dr Suzanne Zeedyk said, "It has been known for some time that imitation occurs spontaneously in the early interactions of parents and infants and research now suggests that complex forms of imitation and turn-taking are fundamental to all types of human communicative exchange.
"The aim of this symposium is to explore the potential that this insight offers in improving the skills of individuals whose communicative abilities are impaired or challenged. To give one example, people with some kinds of impairments can live much of their lives without ever experiencing successful communication with another person, so the potential of further research in this field is undoubtedly great, especially when carried out in partnership by these two specialist teams."
The two-day symposium will feature a programme of lectures focussing on different aspects of this research. Professor Mikael Heinman, director of the Norwegian team, will give a public lecture on the topic of infant imitation and communication on April 24.
As part of the two day symposium, two keynote speakers will give presentations on the strong historical links between Scotland and Norway. Dundee University history professor Charles McKean will explore Dundee's medieval Baltic links, while Dr Barbara Crawford of St Andrews University will explore Scotland's Viking past.
The symposium 'Imitation as an intervention for individuals with impaired communicative abilities' takes place at the University of Dundee on Thursday April 24 and Friday April 25.
The public lecture takes place on 24 April, 4:30 - 5:30pm, in the Department of Psychology at the University of Dundee.
A programme overview and lecture summary is available from Jane Smernicki, Press Office, University of Dundee.
By Jane Smernicki, Press Officer 01382 344768 j.m.smernicki@dundee.ac.uk