Imitation in the great apes is a controversial and complex subject. Defining "imitation" and cognitive mechanisms involved has been an ongoing challenge to research. In a spontaneous session at the San Francisco Zoo, the gorilla Zura responded to the investigator's gesturing by reproducing good copies of some of her gestures. For more information, see forthcoming:

Byrne, Richard W. & Tanner, Joanne E. (2006). Gestural Copying by a Gorilla: Imitation or Response Facilitation? In press for International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, special issue on Animal Learning and Cognition, ed. Tom Zentall.

 

swing arm up demonstrated	swing arm up; Zura’s action
slap top of head demonstrated	slap top of head; Zura’s action
slap shoulders demonstrated	slap shoulders; Zura’s action
slap cheek demonstrated	slap cheek; Zura’s action