You are so right about how we mimic.  I was assessed with Asperger's as an adult.  The only way I could really learn how to assimilate with my surroundings was mimicking until it felt natural.  I've had many college friends who finally got out of their parents' oppressive thumb and got wild and destructive?  WHY?  I can't speak for them, but my impression is that they never had the freedom to screw up and figure out, or be taught in a safe environment, that sometimes mistakes hurt.  
I also have many peers who were terribly abused and they turned to drugs, alcohol and promiscuous behavior.  They did everything they could to get away from their parents and ended up marrying the same type of person.  ***Cycles*** 
As @eric-the-red mentioned, breaking the cycle is hard - but we have to be objective enough in our life experiences to take the good, reject the bad, and forge a path.  

Thank you for your thoughtful comment, @cynetyc