Mirror neurons

• Explanation

  Mirror neurons are brain cells that imitate the actions of other people. They were first discovered by Rizzolati et al via the study of Macaque monkeys brain activity. This system has been localised to the inferior frontal gyrus in the brain. It is thought that they have enabled humans to form social networks and build up alliances to protect each other from threats. Mirror neurons are also implicated in empathy. fMRI research shows that a ps inferior frontal gyrus was activated when observing emotions in other people.
• social cognition

  Mirror neurons may be an important part of a child’s understanding of other people. Mirror neurons have been linked to emotional observation and enactment, which could act as a neurological basis for TOM. Mirror neurons may also contribute to the child’s growing awareness of what it means to be part of a community.
• oberman and ramachandran

  the ‘broken mirror theory’ of ASD claims the frontal and parietal lobes function abnormally in children with ASD. Children with autism showed no mirror neuron activity in the inferior frontal gyrus while they were observing and imitating facial expressions.
• links to issues and debates

  the mirror neuron theory is an example of biological reductionism as it attempts to explain complex human behaviour in an over-simplified way. This side of the debate doesn’t consider the role of environmental factors (culture, upbringing) as also being key to the development of social cognition.
• positive

  mirror neurons have practical application. Strauss et al found that people with damage to their frontal lobes were unable to understand other people’s emotions.

  understanding the role of mirror neurones could also help to form therapies and strategies to help people with ASD deal with the triad of impairments.
• negative

  not all researchers agree on the function, location or even existence of mirror neurons (Hicock).

  there is no scientific way to isolate which specific neurons are mirror neurons. fMRI scans only show the activity of oxygenated blood in the brain. What is causing the activity is yet to be found.