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Check out the surprising
benefits of being a copycat
Imitation often gets a bad rap—take
imitation leather (not breathable)
and imitation crabmeat (not enjoy-
able). But in relationships, imitation
can be good—it can make you seem
more appealing. In experiments at
Radboud University of Nijmegen in
the Netherlands, subjects interviewed
by someone who subtly mirrored their
postures gave bigger donations to a
charity and were more likely to help
an interviewer. And in research
published in the Journal of Personality
and Social Psychology, students rated
interactions with mimickers as smooth-
er than those with non-
mimickers; they also
considered mimick-
ers more likable. But
while imitation may
seem simple, it can be
tricky, warns Robert
Epstein, Ph. D., lecturer
and former editor of
Psychology Today. If
people notice what you’re doing, they
may find you manipulative. Epstein’s
advice: “Think smaller: If someone
crosses his or her legs, wait 5 to 10
seconds, then cross your ankles.” If
subtlety’s not your strong suit, make
note of a person’s mannerisms. Then
try a few mini-versions the next time
you’re together. —Melissa Gotthardt
