findings and conclusions

• Rizzolatti found that a monkeys motor cortex activated when they reached for food themselves and the monkeys exact motor cortex region activated in exactly the same way when he saw other monkeys reach for food too
• researchers call brain cells in these monkeys mirror neurons because they mirror the activity we see from others
• the mirror neuron system provides a biological explanation of social cognition
• mirror neurones play a key role in the development of empathy by aiding imitation
• when we see someone produce facial expressions the mirror neurons in our brain responsible for producing facial expressions fire too. This then activates the feeling associated with that facial expression helping us feel the same emptions we observe others going through
• mirror neurons allow us to understand the emotional cognitions behind other peoples expressions and as a result have empathy towards them
• Goldman claimed that mirror neurons may be seen as a precursor to theory of mind as they enable us to experience someone elses action as if they are our own
• mirror neurons help us understand others perspective and intentions behind doing specific actions. Since mirror neurons are responsible for understanding the perspective of others and mental states they act as a neurological foundation for theory of mind
• Ramachandran and Oberman proposed the broken mirror theory of ASD. According to this dysfunctions in the mirror neuron system prevents a developing child from imitation and consequently limits their understanding of the social behaviors of others
• the broken mirror hypothesis explains why children with ASD typically mimic adult behavior less than others. So these problems with their MNS lead to difficulties in reading the intention and emotions of others, ultimately leading to issues in social cognition
• Ramachandran suggests that MNs have played a crucial part in us becoming an evolved and intelligent species
• the complex social interaction we take part in requires a complex brain that allows us to understand intention and perspective