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Dissertation
Praxic and executive components in tool use learning: the role of imitation
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Jun 2006
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-890
Abstract
Objectives: The current study intended to investigate whether social learning processes other than imitation can be traced in human adults, particularly in brain-injured patients who have lost their ability to imitate. This was undertaken by exploring the extent to which the observation of how to solve a tool-use task primed the performance of left (LBD) and right (RBD) brain-damaged patients, as well as of healthy adults. Methods: Participants were assigned to a no model condition (N), in which they were left alone to solve the problems, and a demonstration condition (D), in which they could either observe a Correct (C) or an Incorrect + Correct Demonstration (I+C) in which they witness a failed attempt followed by the correct solution of the task. Results: Consistent with predictions, LBD overall performance was significantly worse than that of control subjects, while RBD did not differ from controls. However, there was only a trend in LBD to perform worse than RBD and controls after both type of demonstrations, and alternative non-imitative processes were rarely adopted by both patient groups. Yet, looking at single cases, all LBD scoring below controls in C engaged in (goal) emulation, and all had ideomotor apraxia, those in I+C showed mimicry, and were affected by frontal dysfunction. Conclusions: The left hemisphere is indeed critical for motor control and selective neuropsychological deficits can compromise action imitation and selection of goal-directed movements, independently from each other. Our findings also suggest that when the ability to imitate actions is lost or lowered emulation may come available.
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Details
- Title
- Praxic and executive components in tool use learning
- Creators
- Alberta Lunardelli - DU
- Contributors
- Douglas L. Chute (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)Raffaella I. Rumiati (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 890; 991014632570204721