mirror neurons - social cognition Flashcards
the mirror neuron system
mirror neurons distributed in several areas of the brain
neurons fire both in response to physical action and in response to actions carried out by someone else
thought that these neurons have a role in social cognition as they allow us to interpret actions + emotions of others
how mirror neurons were discovered
Rizzolatti et al was studying electrical activity in a monkey’s motor cortex - responsible for movement
one researcher reached for his lunch in full view of monkey
monkey’s motor cortex became active in same way it would have if monkey did the same movement
Further tests showed that it was same brain cell that fired if monkey went to grab the lunch or watched someone else do it
mirror neurons + intention
research has shown that mirror neurons respond to not just observed actions but to the intentions behind actions (meaning)
has been suggested that we copy others’ behaviour in our mirror neuron system, and we experience their intentions using our mirror neurons
mirror neurons and perspective taking
if mirror neurons fire in response to other’s actions then they also play a role in being able to understand their perspectives + emotional state
mirror neurons allow us to interpret what they may be thinking or feeling
mirror neurons + evolution
we have evolved to possess a system that helps us to understand intention, emotion and perspective
without this ability, we wouldn’t be able to live in large groups with complex social roles that exist within society
they are thought to be key to our development as a social species
mirror neurons + autism
some features of autism are linked to mirror neurons
research is being conducted to see whether issues with mirror neuron systems can be found in children with autism
the ‘broken mirror system’ has been developed - idea that neurological deficits may prevent a developing child from imitating + understanding social behaviour in others
strength of mirror neurons - supportive evidence
E: Haker et al showed people films of other people yawning. Using brains scans it was found that levels of activity in Broadman’s area 9 (rich in mirror neurons) increased when Ps yawned in response. Contagious yawning is thought to be because of empathy.
C: increases validity. Also, use of brain scans is scientific so can be replicated. They would’ve repeated the brain scans on many Ps and found same result.
strength of mirror neurons - possibly explains autism
E: evidence to show link between mirror neuron system dysfunction + autism. Brain scans have shown those with autism have smaller thickness of pars opercularis - rich in mirror neurons.
C: using brain scans means you can establish a C+E relationship between thinner pars opercularis and autism. so increases understanding
limitation of mirror neurons - hard to study them
E: as it involves implanting electrodes in brain to study their electrical activity. Using other techniques eg. brain scans hasn’t proved to be useful as they will measure brain areas rather than individual cells
C: brain scans would produce less accurate results as it’s measuring whole area rather than just mirror neurons. Electrodes are unethical as they may cause herm to Ps.
