Babies mimic emotions to build social bonds
Newborns instinctively copy caregivers' expressions and emotions, fostering early connections that shape lifelong social skills, empathy, and the ability to navigate group dynamics.
From nearly birth, babies instinctively mimic emotions, a crucial behavior for forming strong social bonds. Studies from the late 1970s showed newborns just weeks old can copy facial gestures like tongue protrusions, suggesting an innate ability to mirror actions. This evolves into emotional mimicry, where infants respond to smiles with their own or mirror distress to seek comfort.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraphs · plus a 2-question quiz