Mirror Neurons

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Recommended: Conclusion on mirror neurons

Mirror neurons have been one of the most exciting neurological discoveries in recent years. Some researchers have even gone as far as comparing the discovery of mirror neurons to DNA. Mirror neurons may be analogous to other human sensory systems and some believe that mirror neurons represent their own unique sensory system. Mirror neurons fire when a person or animal performs certain activities as well as when they watch another perform the same activity (Winerman, 2005). Basically, they allow animals and humans to imitate and possibly even learn from others. While the original studies were conducted in monkeys, recent research has extended the theory to humans and other abilities outside of basic motor movements. In this paper, research on mirror neurons in humans, language, and autism will be summarized. In addition, the limitations on this work will be discussed.

Original Findings

The widely popular research on mirror neurons and various applications of the research findings began with an important, but unexpected finding in the brains of macaque monkeys. The original studies did not intend to look at mirror neurons and in fact the existence of mirror neurons was found by accident. Neuroscientist Giacomo Rizzolatti and his colleagues found a group of cells that fired whenever a monkey prepared to act on a stimulus as well as when it watched another monkey act on the stimulus (Winerman, 2005). For example, the monkeys showed a similar pattern of activation when they were performing a simple motor action like grasping a peanut and when they watched another monkey perform the same action (Winerman, 2005). In other words, monkey see, monkey fire -- monkey do, monkey fire. This grouping of cells was called "mirror neurons." The ...

... middle of paper ...

...ther people are undoubtedly do to the uniqueness of the human brain. However, the statements suggesting causality and global functioning of mirror neurons are misleading. Mirror neurons are only one important piece of a very complex puzzle.

Works Cited

Azar, B. (2005). How mimicry begat culture. Monitor on Psychology, 36 (9), 54.

Carey, B. (2005). Can brain scans see depression? New York Times.

Dingfelder, S. F. (2005). Autism’s smoking gun? Monitor on Psychology, 36 (9), 52.

Pineda, J. Mirror neurons and autism. Video shown in class on February 2, 2010.

Sowell, E. Brain development in Adolescence. Video shown in class on January 26, 2010.

Thompson, R. A., & Nelson, C. A. (2001). Developmental Science and the Media: Early Brain Development. American Psychologist, 56(1), 5-15.

Winerman, L. (2005). The mind’s mirror. Monitor on Psychology, 36 (9), 48.

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