Psychology says children may copy a classmate they don't even like

A child comes home from school complaining about a classmate. They say the other child is bossy, refuses to share or keeps breaking classroom rules. Yet, a few days later, the parent notices something unexpected. Their child has started using the same phrases, making similar gestures or behaving in ways they previously criticised.For parents, this can be confusing. If a child does not particularly like someone, why would they copy their behaviour?The answer may lie in how children learn from the people around them. Imitation is not always a sign of admiration, friendship or even conscious approval. Sometimes, children pick up behaviours because they are observing what happens in their social environment, trying to understand group expectations or learning what helps them fit in.Developmental psychology research suggests that imitation serves purposes beyond simply learning a new skill.