mirroring

The unconscious imitation of another person's gestures, speech patterns, or attitudes during social interaction; also related to the mirror neuron system — neurons that fire both when performing an action and when observing someone else perform it.

• mirror/ˈmɪrər/(v/n)
• mirrorneurons (n)

• social mirroring
• unconscious mirroring
• mirror neurons
• mirroring behaviour
• mirroring in therapy
• mirroring body language

1. 1.When two people in a conversation unconsciously adopt the same posture, cross their legs at the same time, or match speaking pace, they're mirroring — and it builds rapport. (social bonding)
2. 2.Mirror neurons may underpin empathy: when you wince watching someone stub their toe, neurons in your pain-processing areas fire as if you were hurt yourself. (neural basis of empathy)

• mimicry/ˈmɪmɪkri/— copying behaviour
• matching— adopting similar patterns
• attunement/əˈtjuːnmənt/— being in harmony with another's emotional state

from Latin "mirari" (to wonder at, to look at) — via Old French "mireor" (mirror) — seeing yourself in another