AO3 - The Mirror Neuron System

• Jarratt (2012) says we are capable of understanding actions that we are unable to perform, without needing mirror neurons.
• Hickok (2014) believes the function of mirror neurons is not about understanding the actions of others, but about using others to make our own choices how to act.
• Hamilton (2012) conducted a meta-analysis of 25 studies and concluded that there was little evidence for a global dysfunction of the mirror neuron system in those with autism.
• Heyes (2012) says that we do not know whether mirror neurons have evolved to help us understand each other’s actions or whether they are the after-effect, which is the brain’s response.
• Most of the research into mirror neurons studied the brains of animals which cannot be generalised to humans.
• The research into mirror neurons is difficult, costly and involves scientific equipment which lacks external validity.
• Haker et al (2012) scanned the brains of people as they watched a film of people yawning. They saw more activity in the area associated with mirror neurons, when the participants yawned in response.
• Lacoboni et al (2005) showed activity in the inferior frontal gyrus (rich in mirror neurons), increased when participants tried to understand the intentions behind an action.
• According to Bekkali et al (2019) there is no direct evidence for mirror neurons in humans, as there is no 'gold standard' way of measuring them.
• Nishitani et al (2004) used scanning techniques to show how brain activity was lower in people with autism compared to that of neurotypical individuals.
• Hadjikhani (2007) provide support for a link between autism and dysfunctions in the mirror neuron system. Brain scans have shown smaller areas of the brain, rich in mirror neurons in people with autism.
• Hamilton (2013) concluded that evidence for mirror neurons was inconsistent and hard to interpret.