Mirror Neurons

Question 1

Mirror Neurons

Answer 1

Biological mechanism that underlines ToM and give us the ability to share emotions of those around us

Question 2

Role of mirror neurons

Answer 2

. Came across by accident
. Rizzolatti et al: studying electrical activity in monkeys cortex. Reached for food same time as researcher
. Monkey’s motor cortex activated in exact same way as it did when animal reached for food
^ researchers called this mirror neurons

Question 3

Mirror neurons and intention

Answer 3

. Social cognition - mirror neurons central to it, new way of thinking about how we understand others intentions
Gallese and Goldman = respond to not just observed actions but to intentions behind behaviour

Question 4

Mirror neurons and perspective taking

Answer 4

If mirror neurons fire in response to others actions/intentions, may give us neural mechanism for experiencing

Question 5

Mirror neurons and human evolution

Answer 5

Ramachandran suggested they’ve effectively shaped human evolution
. unique complex social interactions require brain system that facilitates an understanding of intention, emotion and perspective
^ without we wouldn’t be able to form complex relationships

Question 6

Mirror neurons and ASD

Answer 6

ASD associated with problems with all these cognitive abilities
. Ramachandran and Oberman proposed ‘broken mirror’ theory
^ neurological deficits including dysfunction in mirror neuron sytem prevent child imitating and understanding social behaviour in others

Question 7

Evaluation - evidence for the role of mirror neurons (S)

Answer 7

. Hacket et al demonstrated via FMRI scans that Broadmans area 9 is involved in contageous yawning
. We imitate others yawning using mirror neurons and this research proves Broadmans area 9 is involved in the neural mechanism of mirror neurons

Question 8

Evaluation - difficulty studying mirror neuron activity in humans (W)

Answer 8

. Studies on animals use inserted electrodes which is not ethical on humans even with consent
. Brain scanning can be used by using FMRI or ERP’s
. Weakness as not measuring individual cells just areas that the cells are active so does not let us pinpoint which cells are acting as mirror neurons

Question 9

Evaluation - mixed evidence for abnormal mirror neuron function in ASD (W)

Answer 9

. Psychologist reviewed evidence for link between ASD and deficit in neuron function and found some support
^ structural brain scans show smaller average thickness of the pars opercularis in participants on autism spectrum
. Studies using functional scans have shown lower activity in brain areas associated with mirror neurons with children with ASD