Heymans colloquium: Dr. Ilka Gleibs, Group dynamics in imitation - how the situation shapes whom we imitate

In this talk I will look at how imitation is not only influenced by who we interact with (ingroup vs. outgroup member) but also the nature of the situation (inter-vs. intragroup; conflict vs. cooperation; threat). Study 1 and 2 focus on the question whether participants when interacting with an ingroup (or outgroup) member display a stronger imitation effect in a cooperation situation, compared to a conflictual situation. In study 3, I will demonstrate that Asian Americans respond to identity denial (being asked “Do you speak English?”) by engaging in nonconscious behavioral mimicry of a prototypical American. All three studies show that the (inter-) group setting affects how much participants imitate an interaction partner.