Mimicking other people's behaviour

jp_bl_68

jp_bl_68

jp_bl_68

Soldato
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Does anyone find that they inadvertently mimic the behaviour of those around them? I've been noticing it more and more recently. If I'm talking to someone and they fold their arms, put their hand's in their pockets, roll up their sleeves, etc. I find myself doing the same. I've even started mimicking other people's speech patterns and even their accents.

Does anyone else do this? Is there a proper name for this kind of behaviour? Does anyone know what causes it? Presumably it's got something to do with a desire to fit in/be liked or a lack of self confidence.
 
Subconscious social and group behaviour.
It has little to do with being either alpha or beta (as we understand it here). Kind of like oil for the social gears. Mannerisms and gestures, body language etc are all part of that, speech too to an extent.
Unless you're trying to read a woman and her interest in you, forget about it :D

Try a little experiment:
For example, next time you're in one of those situations and you notice it, deliberately (but in a relaxed and natural way) reach up and scratch your nose - there's a good chance that someone in your group will copy you, they will do it unconsciously and without any true violition. Any subtle action or posture can provoke a response either to you or a mirroring of you.
Obviously you can't let on you are doing it on purpose or people with fight the impulse to respond - another common example is yawning.
 
Last edited:
jumpy said:
For example, next time you're in one of those situations and you notice it, deliberately (but in a relaxed and natural way) reach up and scratch your nose - there's a good chance that someone in your group will copy you, they will do it unconsciously and without any true violition. Any subtle action or posture can provoke a response either to you or a mirroring of you.
Obviously you can't let on you are doing it on purpose or people with fight the impulse to respond - another common example is yawning.
Click to expand...

you can try whistling in the supermarket too.
 
Does anyone find that they inadvertently mimic the behaviour of those around them? I've been noticing it more and more recently. If I'm talking to someone and they fold their arms, put their hand's in their pockets, roll up their sleeves, etc. I find myself doing the same. I've even started mimicking other people's speech patterns and even their accents.

Does anyone else do this? Is there a proper name for this kind of behaviour? Does anyone know what causes it? Presumably it's got something to do with a desire to fit in/be liked or a lack of self confidence.






I'll get my coat
 
Does anyone find that they inadvertently mimic the behaviour of those around them? I've been noticing it more and more recently. If I'm talking to someone and they fold their arms, put their hand's in their pockets, roll up their sleeves, etc. I find myself doing the same. I've even started mimicking other people's speech patterns and even their accents.

Does anyone else do this? Is there a proper name for this kind of behaviour? Does anyone know what causes it? Presumably it's got something to do with a desire to fit in/be liked or a lack of self confidence.
 
I tend to do it deliberately with accents, but sometimes I'll notice myself doing it accidentally, such as leaning back in my chair just after someone else has, then think OMG NOES I'M LAMER-COPYING and immediately undo it
 
It's a good way of picking up girls on a night out, if you see some one you like the look of who isn't having such a good time. ;)
 
It's because you've been brought to rely on TV as your Loco Parentis. You accept repeats as the norm and accept fake accents and bizzare relationships as real.

Oh and subtle mimicking is the best way to be liked.
 
It's part of good social skills/being sociable. It shows psychologically that you're paying attention and are keen to what's going on.

Nothing wrong it.
 
Yup, mimicking is taught in business courses that require the individual to quickly build into an liked and open to yes..

Sales, management and negotiations are good examples - so too is pulling down the pub.
 
I find at work if I'm talking to a customer and I lean down on the desk and put my elbows on it, they'll do the same. Happens a lot. I just do it because it's a good excuse to not carry on standing up straight.
 
As jumpy said, subconscious social and group behaviour. If you read any book about body language, 'mirroring' is always covered, and it's taught as a deliberate action in sales and pickup (same thing?!) as a rapport-building tactic.
 
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