What word means copying the behaviour of others?

The term "imitation" specifically refers to the act of copying the behavior, actions, or mannerisms of others. It is often seen in social contexts, particularly in learning and development, where an individual observes and replicates the behavior of peers or role models. Imitation plays a critical role in learning processes, especially in children who learn social skills, language, and motor skills by observing the actions of adults and other children.

While "replication" generally refers to copying a process or experiment, typically in scientific research, it does not capture the social and behavioral context inherent in imitation. "Duplication" tends to imply creating an exact copy of something, often in a physical sense, which is not limited to behavioral contexts. "Following," on the other hand, could suggest a more passive observance rather than active copying, so it does not encompass the proactive nature of imitation. Thus, "imitation" is the most accurate term to describe the behavior of copying others.