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Mimicry and simulation in gesture comprehension

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 December 2010

Martha W. Alibali  and
Autumn B. Hostetter
Martha W. Alibali
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706mwalibali@wisc.eduhttp://psych.wisc.edu/alibali/home.html
Autumn B. Hostetter
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI 49006. Autumn.Hostetter@kzoo.edu
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Abstract

According to the SIMS model, mimicry and simulation contribute to perceivers' understanding of smiles. We argue that similar mechanisms are involved in comprehending the hand gestures that people produce when speaking. Viewing gestures may elicit overt mimicry, or may evoke corresponding simulations in the minds of addressees. These real or simulated actions contribute to addressees' comprehension of speakers' gestures.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 33 , Issue 6 , December 2010 , pp. 433 - 434
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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