Variation in pedagogy affects overimitation in children and adolescents

Abstract

Children are strong imitators, which sometimes leads to overimitation of causally unnecessary actions. Here, we tested whether learning from a peer decreases this tendency. First, sixty-five 7-10-year-old children performed the Hook task (i.e., retrieve a reward from a jar with tools) with child or adult demonstrators. The overimitation rate was lower after watching a peer than an adult. Second, we tested whether experiencing peer-to-peer learning versus adult-driven learning (i.e., Montessori versus traditional pedagogy) impacted overimitation. Sixty-six 4-18-year-old children performed the Hook task with adult demonstrators only. Montessori-schooled children had a lower propensity to overimitate. These findings emphasize the importance of the teaching model across the school years. While peer models favor selective imitation, adult models encourage overimitation.