The role of the Mirror Neuron system in social
cognition
The discovery of mirror neurons
Rizzolatti et al were studying the electrical activity in a monkey’s motor
cortex when one researcher reached for his lunch in the view of the
monkey.
The monkey’s motor cortex became activated in the same way as the
researcher and the animal itself reached for food. They found the same
brain cells fired when the monkey reached because it saw someone else
reaching.
Researchers called these cells mirror neurons because they mirror
motor activity in others
Mirror neurons and intention
Helps us understand each other’s intentions
Goldman (1998) suggested that mirror neurons respond to
intentions behind behavior as well as observed actions
We stimulate other’s actions in our motor system and experience their intentions using our
mirror neurons
Mirror neurons and perspective-taking
It has also been suggested that mirror neurons are important in other social-
cognitive functions such as The Theory of the Mind and the ability to take others’
perspectives.
A neural explanation for experiencing and understanding people’s
perspectives and emotional states
-we can stimulate intention so this would allow us to interpret what others
are thinking or feeling
Mirror neurons and human evolution
Ramachandran suggested that mirror neurons are so important that they
have shaped human evolution
-complex social interactions we have need a brain system that
understands emotion, perspective and intention
cognition
The discovery of mirror neurons
Rizzolatti et al were studying the electrical activity in a monkey’s motor
cortex when one researcher reached for his lunch in the view of the
monkey.
The monkey’s motor cortex became activated in the same way as the
researcher and the animal itself reached for food. They found the same
brain cells fired when the monkey reached because it saw someone else
reaching.
Researchers called these cells mirror neurons because they mirror
motor activity in others
Mirror neurons and intention
Helps us understand each other’s intentions
Goldman (1998) suggested that mirror neurons respond to
intentions behind behavior as well as observed actions
We stimulate other’s actions in our motor system and experience their intentions using our
mirror neurons
Mirror neurons and perspective-taking
It has also been suggested that mirror neurons are important in other social-
cognitive functions such as The Theory of the Mind and the ability to take others’
perspectives.
A neural explanation for experiencing and understanding people’s
perspectives and emotional states
-we can stimulate intention so this would allow us to interpret what others
are thinking or feeling
Mirror neurons and human evolution
Ramachandran suggested that mirror neurons are so important that they
have shaped human evolution
-complex social interactions we have need a brain system that
understands emotion, perspective and intention
