Cognition and development - The role of the mirror neuron system in social cognition

Question 1

How were mirror neurones found?

Answer 1

• Mirror neurones were accidently found by Rizzolatti when a researcher reached for food in the view of a monkey
• The monkey’s premotor cortex fired upon seeing this action, the same as it would have if the monkey was performing the physically itself
• This suggests that some neurones act as “Mirror neurones”, as they allow for the simulation of the physical acts of others
• This allows individuals an ability to better understand intention

Question 2

What is the role of the mirror neuron system in social cognition?

Answer 2

• Researchers argue that there are also mirror neurones for simulating the emotional experience of others (Empathy)
• For example: Seeing others in distress, disgust or happy causes associated mirror neurons to fire, giving an understanding of the internal emotional state of the other person
• A defective mirror neuron system could be an explanation for autism, as this would contribute to a lack of “Theory of mind”, not appreciating that others have internal mental states (A mind) such as emotions and intentions

Question 3

How does research by Lacoboni support the theory that mirror neurones have a role in social cognition?

Answer 3

• Lacoboni found that in FMRI’s of 24 participants there was a high level of mirror neurone activity in both the premotor cortex and the inferior frontal gyrus (An area involved with intentional thinking)
• This suggests that mirror neurone function is not just to simulate behaviour, but also to infer the intention of others from their behaviour

Question 4

What is a strength of the theory that mirror neurones have a role in social cognition?

Answer 4

• If defective mirror neurones are responsible for social cognition, this could be used to explain autism
• This opens the possibility for a drug therapy to improve the sense of empathy and ultimately social communication in people with autism

Question 5

What is a weakness of the theory that mirror neurones have a role in social cognition?

Answer 5

• Much of the research on mirror neurones has been looking at groups of neurones in scanning machines like FMRI
• This means that little is known about mirror neurone activity at the level of individual neurones rather than groups of neurones

Question 6

What is a weakness of the theory that mirror neurones have a role in social cognition?

Answer 6

• The suggestion that the complex process of social cognition, and in particular empathy is simply due to the automatic firing of mirror neurones is highly reductionist, the role of learning is important
• For example: The learning of ethical principles and societal norms is important