Questions: Omar is an 18 -month-old boy. His mother has been cleaning the house. Omar watches her vacuum, wash the windows, and sweep the kitchen floo his mother watches as Omar takes his toy vacuum and pretends to vacuum the floor. What cognitive technique is Omar demonstrating? deferred imitation concept formation habituation explicit memory

The answer is: deferred imitation.

Explanation for each option:

1. Deferred imitation: This is the correct answer. Deferred imitation refers to the ability to reproduce a behavior after a delay from the time it was observed. In this scenario, Omar is demonstrating deferred imitation by using his toy vacuum to mimic his mother's actions of vacuuming the floor. This indicates that he has observed and remembered the behavior and is now imitating it.

2. Concept formation: This involves the process of categorizing information into meaningful groups or concepts. While Omar may be forming concepts about cleaning activities, the specific behavior described in the question is more accurately explained by deferred imitation.

3. Habituation: This is a decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated presentations. It is not relevant to the scenario described, as Omar is actively imitating a behavior rather than showing a decreased response to a repeated stimulus.

4. Explicit memory: This type of memory involves the conscious recall of facts and events. While explicit memory might play a role in Omar remembering his mother's actions, the specific cognitive technique he is demonstrating by imitating her is deferred imitation.

In summary, Omar is demonstrating deferred imitation by using his toy vacuum to mimic his mother's cleaning actions.