{"product_id":"imitation-and-social-learning-in-robots-humans-and-animals","title":"Imitation and Social Learning in Robots, Humans and Animals","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Imitation and Social Learning in Robots, Humans and Animals the book is recommended for researchers and graduate students who want a cross-disciplinary account of imitation, social matching and constructive modelling. The single biggest reason to buy is that it brings together experimental and synthetic perspectives, showing how studies of animals and humans inform the design and interpretation of robot behaviour. The reviewer found the text particularly useful for understanding how imitation functions as a developmental and communicative mechanism rather than merely a programming shortcut.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCross-disciplinary scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book reviews findings from psychology, biology and ethnology and relates them to artificial agents, giving readers a broad conceptual landscape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstructive approach:\u003c\/strong\u003e It emphasizes the value of synthesizing agents to test hypotheses about social learning and imitation, helping readers see how models and robots can be used as experimental tools.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComparative perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chapters compare mechanisms across animals, humans and robots, which supports transfer of insight between disciplines and aids interdisciplinary research design.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on communication:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text frames imitation as a component of interaction and communication, useful for anyone building socially competent robots or studying social cognition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical and practical balance:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book blends conceptual discussion with model descriptions, providing both theoretical context and pointers to implemented systems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe book is best suited to researchers, advanced students and practitioners in robotics, cognitive science, ethology and developmental psychology who require an integrated view of imitation and social learning. It serves as a reference for people designing robots that learn from demonstration or for scientists seeking a synthetic perspective on social intelligence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThose looking for a beginner's textbook or a hands-on programming manual for robot platforms should look elsewhere, since the emphasis is on mechanisms, models and comparative analysis rather than step-by-step engineering tutorials or platform-specific code.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComprehensive cross-disciplinary coverage that clarifies links between biological findings and artificial implementations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear articulation of the \u003cstrong\u003econstructive approach\u003c\/strong\u003e, showing how building systems can test hypotheses about social learning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUseful comparative analyses that highlight communicative and developmental roles of imitation across agents.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eNot a practical programming guide, so engineers seeking platform-specific instructions will need supplementary material.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImitation and Social Learning in Robots, Humans and Animals\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEditors\/Authors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChrystopher L. Nehaniv, Kerstin Dautenhahn\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImitation, social learning, communication, constructive models\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComparative and synthetic (robots, humans, animals)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eResearchers, graduate students, interdisciplinary scientists\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContent style\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTheoretical discussion with model descriptions and case studies\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eImitation and Social Learning in Robots, Humans and Animals is a valuable, well-focused resource for anyone investigating social intelligence across biological and artificial systems. It is good value for researchers who need a synthetic, conceptual treatment that links experiments and robot models, though readers seeking hands-on programming guidance should pair it with implementation-focused texts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book cover robot implementations?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book discusses models and synthetic agents and includes descriptions of implemented systems, but it is not a platform-specific programming manual.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs prior knowledge required?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; a background in cognitive science, robotics or animal behaviour will help readers follow comparative and theoretical discussions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho edited the volume?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChrystopher L. Nehaniv and Kerstin Dautenhahn edited and contributed to the work.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chrystopher L. Nehaniv, Kerstin Dautenhahn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48223883133147,"sku":"0521108632","price":71.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71Pr9o3q5nL._SL1500.jpg?v=1770299664","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/imitation-and-social-learning-in-robots-humans-and-animals","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}