social cognition : mirror neurons

Question 1

discovery of mirror neurone

Answer 1

-accidental
-mirror motor activity of another individual (e.g. yawning)

Question 2

mirror neurons and intention

Answer 2

Goldman (1998)
-a link between motor neurons and intentions of others as we simulate their actions

Question 3

mirror neurons and perspective taking

Answer 3

-as we can simulate others’ intentions, the same info could help us interpret others’ thoughts and feelings

Question 4

mirror neurons and autsim

Answer 4

-‘broken mirror neuron hypothesis’ (faulty system) results in inability to understand intentions and emotions of others
-leads to problems in social communication

Question 5

strength - supporting evidence

Answer 5

-Mouras (2008) sexual arousal is connected with increased levels of activity in pars opercularis (rich in neurons) as ppts watch heterosexual pornography

Question 6

strength - supporting evidence

Answer 6

-Hacker (2012) high levels of broadmanns area (rich in neurons) when watching videos of yawning (contagious)

Question 7

strength - support link with autism

Answer 7

-those with autism have a smaller pars opercularis compared to neurotypical
-lower levels of activity in area rich with mirror neurons

Question 8

weakness - limited application

Answer 8

-animal studies implant electrodes into heads
-not ethical and cannot be applied to humans