Olivia Munn Captures Same Father-Son Fidget On Video—Is It Nature or Nurture?

Experts say imitation isn't just the sincerest form of flattery–it's also a good sign of development in young kids.

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Actress Olivia Munn recently shared an adorable Instagram video of her and John Mulaney's baby boy Malcom imitating Mulany's hand gestures while they're both sitting on the couch. Neither dad nor son seem to notice what's happening, as the mirroring appears to be unconscious.

In the video's caption, Munn writes, "Malcom's been doing this since 10 months old but this is the first time I could capture it."

The video prompted many commenters to share their own observations of their children imitating them at different stages. This raises an interesting question about nature vs. nurture: Are children's motor skills actually developed through mimicking, or does it have more to do with genetics?

How Mimicking Happens and What It Means

A 2023 study explains that the cultural and social process of becoming a human relies heavily on imitation–infants mimicking caregivers’ behaviors as a way of learning. Mutual imitation between parent and child is a sign of communication, according to the study, and this helps form associations between what the child feels/does and what they see.

Sophie Cress, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and a Certified Gottman Therapist (CGT) based in North Carolina, says imitation is a basic learning mechanism that helps babies develop new abilities and habits, which is an important aspect of their development.

“Infants are highly observant from an early age, and they naturally look to their parents for guidance on how to interact with the outside world.”

Cress describes children's proclivity to repeat what they see as more than just imitating actions; it also allows them to connect socially and emotionally with their caretakers. "The act of imitating strengthens the link between parent and child, establishing a sense of stability and attachment that is necessary for proper growth,” she says.

She goes on to explain how the inclination to imitate is deeply rooted in the infant’s brain, where mirror neurons play a significant role.

“These neurons activate not only when a baby performs an action but also when they observe someone else performing the same action,” she states. “This neurological mechanism allows babies to learn by watching and then replicating behaviors, even before they fully understand the purpose of those behaviors. For example, when a baby sees their parent waving or clapping, they may attempt to do the same, even if they don’t yet grasp the social context of these actions.”

According to Cress, imitation is a precursor to more complex forms of learning, including language development, social interaction, and problem-solving skills. Through mimicking facial expressions, gestures, and eventually words, babies build the foundation for effective communication.

“This process is not just about learning specific actions but also about understanding the intentions and emotions behind those actions,” Cress highlights. “In this way, imitation becomes a gateway to developing empathy and social cognition, which are crucial for emotional and social well-being later in life.”

Stages of Mimicking in Children

Cress says children typically begin to imitate their parents from a very early age, with some forms of imitation being observable even in newborns.

“Infants as young as a few weeks old may mimic facial expressions, such as sticking out their tongue or opening their mouth wide when they see an adult do the same," she explains. "By around 6 to 8 months, babies start to engage in more purposeful imitation, such as copying hand gestures or vocal sounds, which are often attempts to communicate or interact with their parents in a more engaged manner.”

As babies approach their first year, Cress says their ability to imitate becomes more refined and intentional. This is the stage when they begin to replicate more complex behaviors, such as clapping, waving, or even trying to mimic simple words and sounds.

“These imitative actions are not just random; they are often directed toward achieving a specific goal, like gaining attention or eliciting a response from their parents," notes Cress. "The imitation at this stage is a clear indication of cognitive development, as it shows that the child is beginning to understand the cause-and-effect relationships between their actions and the reactions they provoke.”

By the time children reach the age of 18 to 24 months, imitation becomes a central aspect of their learning and exploration of the world.

“At this stage, children not only imitate the actions of their parents but also begin to incorporate those actions into their own play and daily routines,” Cress explains. “This is also when they start to imitate more complex sequences of behavior, such as pretending to cook, clean, or talk on the phone, which reflects their growing understanding of social roles and daily activities.”

Mimicking Is Informed by Both Nature and Nurture

Cress observes that the interconnection between nurture and nature is evident in how babies copy their parents. In her opinion, while the capacity for imitation is rooted in nature, the specific ways in which it's expressed are largely shaped by nurture. This means that while the ability to imitate may be biologically determined, the content of what is imitated is largely influenced by the child’s immediate environment.

On the one hand, the propensity to imitate can be viewed as a natural, biological quality built into the human brain.

“Mirror neurons confirm this, indicating that humans are biologically predisposed to learn by imitation," Cress says. "This ability to imitate is a common element of human growth, observable throughout nations and societies, implying that it is a natural part of our species' evolution."

On the other hand, nurture influences how, when, and what a child imitates.

“The environment in which a kid grows up, including the behaviors and acts to which they are exposed, has a significant impact on their imitative conduct," she notes. "For example, a youngster who is regularly engaged by parents who employ expressive gestures, diverse facial expressions, and rich verbal communication is more likely to develop complex imitative skills."

So while imitation itself may be a cute thing to observe while your child is young and developing, it's not genetic in the sense of being passed down as a specific trait. The underlying ability to learn through imitation is a fundamental part of human nature, shaped and guided by the nurturing environment provided by caregivers.

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