cognition and development - mirror neurones

Question 1

what are mirror neurones

Answer 1

special cells which respond to the mirror activity of others allowing us to interpret intention and emotion in others too

Question 2

where are mirror neurones

Answer 2

in the motor cortex

Question 3

how do mirror neurones relate to theory of mind

Answer 3

the ability to simulate others actions may help us take their perspective and therefore develop theory of mind

Question 4

how do they relate to evolution

Answer 4

key to human social evolution for living in large groups, Ramachandran suggests MNs have shaped the direction of human evolution allowing us to live in large, complex social groups with roles and rules

Question 5

how do they relate to ASD

Answer 5

the lack of perspective taking skills may be due to poor MN system this is called ‘broken mirror’ theory

Question 6

research to support

Answer 6

Haker et al, demonstrated via Fmri scans of the motor cortex is involved in contagious yawning, this supports the importance of mirror neurones in social cognition

Question 7

counter argument to research to support

Answer 7

our current techniques for studying brain activity do not measure activity at cellular level in humans so we cannot see individuals mirror neurones therefore research is based on inference from measuring general activity and as such cannot provide direct evidence for mirror neurone activity

Question 8

evaluation point - ASD

Answer 8

Mixed evidence for mirror neurones and ASD, Ramachandran and Oberman )EEG hand study) this suggests a link for mirror neurones and ASD However not all findings have been replicated so the reliability of results remains questionable and consequently evidence linking ASD to mirror neurones is mixed