13.6 Neural Correlates of Experience Sharing Theory (Simulation Theory)

Question 1

simulation theory

Answer 1

suggests that some aspects of inferring the thoughts of others are based on our ability to mimic their actions, such as facial expressions and eye gaze.

Question 2

mirror neurons

Answer 2

which activate both while one is observing another’s action and when one is performing it oneself - as the neural basis of shared representation.

Question 3

Empathy

Answer 3

s our capacity to understand and respond to the unique affective experiences of another person, and it empitomizes the strong relation between self-perception and the perception of others.

Question 4

erception-action model of empathy

Answer 4

assumes that during perception of another’s emotional state of mind, the same affective state is activated in the observer, triggering somatic and autonomic responses, thus, by experiencing it, the observer understands it.

Question 5

Anterior insula (AI) and mid-anterior cingulate cortex (mACC), AI-mACC

Answer 5

The left AI–mACC has modality-independent activity patterns, whereas the right AI–ACC has modality-dependent
activity patterns that are specifi c for pain, disgust, and
unfairness, as well as for who (self or other) is having
the experience.