Strategies in Imitation of Action in Predictable and Unpredictable Switches

In the context of a dual route model for action imitation, we investigated the strategic selection of imitation routes in meaningful and meaningless actions. Four experiments were carried out: predictable switches between meaningful and meaningless actions and pseudorandom unpredictable switches between those actions. Two experiments used cues, whereas two did not contain cues. A significant switch cost emerged only in the predictable switch condition without cues, that is when subjects had to observe the action to decide which route to choose and/or base their selection of routes on working memory; in the remaining experiments we found no costs. This suggests that when subjects were presented with cued switches the selection of the appropriate route can be prepared. With regard to pseudorandom, uncued sequences, subjects may decide to rely only on the direct route to decrease cognitive effort. These results confirm that we strategically select the most suitable route for action imitation.