Behavioral Mimicry
Imitation of another requires that the observer model its own behavior
after that of the demonstrator. The observer must therefore relate
its body image to the body plan of the demonstrator. In the wild,
dolphins perform many synchronized behaviors, such as swimming and
surfacing in tandem, in effect seemingly closely copying one another.
We have studied imitation capabilities on the laboratory. Two dolphins
are stationed side by
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| Dolphin imitates human in a variety of
behaviors. |
side, each with its own trainer. A visual screen is placed between
the pair such that the dolphins can see each other and their own trainer,
but not the other's trainer. One dolphin acts as the demonstrator,
carrying out some particular behavior requested by its trainer. The
second dolphin acts as the imitator, by observing the demonstrator
and if requested by its trainer, imitating that behavior. In our studies,
a wide variety of behaviors were copied successfully. The roles of
the dolphins, as demonstrator and as imitator, were reversible, either
dolphin acting in either role. Surprisingly, this imitative ability
extended not only to the behavior demonstrated by another dolphin,
but to behaviors demonstrated by humans. For example, if the human
performs a pirouette, the dolphin will do likewise, and if the human
raises a leg in the air the dolphin will raise its tail. The dolphin
thus relates its body image to the human's body plan, using analogies
as necessary. For example, its uses its tail as an analogy to our
leg. The dolphin is also capable of imitating the behavior of a human
displayed on a television screen viewed through an underwater window.
Imitation of the television model is as accurate as imitation of a
live model. Dolphins are also excellent vocal mimics, as demonstrated
by other work we've performed. Dolphins appear to be the only species,
other than humans, capable of both reliable vocal and behavioral mimicry.
Herman, L. M. (in press). Vocal, social, and
self-imitation by bottlenosed dolphins. In C. Nehaniv & K. Dautenhahn
(Eds.). Imitation in Animals and Artifacts. Cambridge, MA. MIT Press.
Xitco, M. J., Jr. (1988). Mimicry of modeled behaviors by bottlenose
dolphins. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Hawaii, Honolulu.
Richards, D. G.,
Wolz, J. P. & Herman, L. M. (1984). Vocal mimicry of computer
generated sounds and vocal labeling of objects by a bottlenosed
dolphin, Tursiops truncatus. Journal of Comparative Psychology,
98, 10-28.
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