cognitive development - role of mirror neurons Flashcards
what is a mirror neuron and where are they found
a type of brain cell that activates when we perform an action and when we witness someone else perform the same action. found in the pars opercularis and broadmans area.
how were mirror neurons discovered
Rizzolatti were studying electrical activity in a monkeys motor cortex, one of the researchers reached for his lunch in view of the monkey, brain cells in the monkeys motor cortex (rich in mirror neurons) became activated in the same way as when the animal itself reached for food. suggests there is a physiological mechanism for social cognition to help us understand intention. These cells were called mirror neurons.
How can mirror neurons be applied to social cognition? Eg. theory of mind and perspective taking.
Gallese and Goldman suggested that mirror neurons respond not just to observed actions but to intentions behind behaviour, we stimulate others actions in our motor system and experience their intentions using our mirror neurons. This may give us a neural mechanism for understanding other peoples perspective and emotional states.
How do mirror neurons help explain the evolution of humans as a social species.
Ramachandran suggested that the uniquely complex social interactions we have as humans require a brain system that facilitates an understanding of intention emotion and perspective. Without mirror neurons we cannot live in large groups with the complex social roles and rules that characterise human culture.
how can mirror neurons be linked to ASD
A broken mirror neurons system may mean that someone cannot empathise or understand intention. Deficits in the mirror neuron system can prevent a child developing the usual abilities of reading intention and emotion in other people. which may help explain why people with ASD struggle with social interaction.
what is a broken mirror system
may mean mirror neurons are not firing/ are less active
may mean that someone has a low neuronal density.
(AO3) outline research that supports the existence of mirror neurons
Haker et al scanned the brains of people as they watched a film of people yawning, levels of activity in broadmanns area ( believed to be rich in mirror neurons) increased when participants yawned in response. Yawning is a physiological involuntary response widely believed to be the result of empathy.
The research into mirror neurons is not consistent (found by a meta analysis of 23 studies) , why is this a limitation? (AO3)
limits the ability to make sound conclusions linking broken mirror system ad ASD
outline the scanning research conducted by Hadjikhani (AO3)
Found brain abnormalities in individuals with ASD, brain scans found smaller than average thickness in the pars opercularis (rich in mirror neurons) + functional differences where there was decreased activity in areas associated with mirror neurons in individuals with ASD
evaluate the use of fMRI scans to measure mirror neurons (AO3)
fMRI’s do not measure individual neurons, does not tell us why that activity is occuring therefore still making an inference that activity in a mirror neuron area means mirror neuron activity, but this may not be the case. cannot 100% validate the existance and function of mirror neurons.
(AO3) we can question the existence of mirror neurons, evaluate this
we have not been able to specfically differentiate mirror neurons from other types of neurons in the human brain, as there is little structural difference between neurons with mirror properties and motor command neurons, therefore little evidence of a special class of neuron. This essentially means we cannot falsify the idea of mirror neurons doing a specfic function.
