Mirror neurons

• mirror neurons


  -nerve cells that underly empathy; perspective-taking and understanding intentions

  -activate when people perform an action/observe someone else performing an action/hearing someone talk about an action e.g., yawning

  -allow people to share thoughts & feelings & empathise

  -found in the motor cortex (in frontal lobes) & where the parietal & temporal lobe meet

  -were first founded in monkeys' motor cortex - Rizzolati et al
• human evolution


  -Ramachandra: mirror neurons allowed us to live in large complex groups with rules & roles

  -we need them to interact with others

  -help humans be unique & connect with others

  -used to form relationships & survival

  -biological
• autism


  -Ramachandra & Oberman: autism may be the result of a 'broken' mirror neuron system

  -prevents children imitating & understanding others social behaviour

  -starts in infancy and social interactions remain challenging
• intention


  -Gallese & Goldman: we simulate others actions in the motor system & experience intentions via mirror neurons
• perspective-taking & ToM


  -mirror neurons help us understand others thoughts & feelings

  -fire in response to others

  -empathy - understanding others
• AO3


  Strength(s):

  -research support: Haker et al (2012). Scanned brains of ppts watching videos of people yawning & found increased activity in mirror neuron rich areas of the brain. Validates the theory of mirror neurons. D: not a full explanation for social cognition as is reductionist (only looks at nature).

  -explains autism. Found a link between MN & autism. MN rich areas of the brain were found to be thinner in people with autism. Less activity in MN rich areas of the brain. Has use. D: other explanations of autism.

  
  

  Weakness(es):

  -research difficulties. MN first found by putting electrodes in brain cells of monkeys, cannot do this with humans so EEG scans are used. EEG scans are not as accurate as they only measure activity in certain areas, not certain cells. EEGs are not as sensitive as electrodes. MNs are hard to measure in humans and research may not be accurate, decreases validity.