Do you cry when you see others cry? Have you ever felt that you are contagious from someone else's way of talking or moving? It is not an exceptional case, it happens to all of us! In recent research, those responsible for this have been discovered: mirror neurons, a type of neurons that reflect the behavior of others. Mirror neurons are involved in social behavior and learning. In this Psychology-Online article we explain what are mirror neurons and what is their function.
Index
- What are mirror neurons
- Mirror neuron function
- Mirror neurons and learning
- Mirror neurons and empathy
- Mirror neurons and autism
What are mirror neurons.
Neurons are nervous system cells, responsible for transmitting information through chemical and electrical signals. They are the most important cells of the Central Nervous System, that is, the brain. The connections between them and with other cells are called synapses. Neurons are made up of 3 main parts:
- Soma: the cell body, the central part of the cell, where the nucleus and cytoplasm are located.
- Dendrites: specialized short processes projecting from the cell body.
- Axon: a single long extension.
We can find different types of neurons according to their function, their morphology, their transmission or their location. One of these types is mirror neurons. What are mirror neurons?
Mirror neurons: definition
Mirror neurons, also called cubelli neurons, are a type of neurons that fire both when performing actions and when observing actions in others. Mirror neurons are so named because they reflect the behavior of others. For example, the same mirror neurons are activated by jumping, seeing a person jump, hearing a jump, or saying the word jump.
Primates are known to possess mirror neurons. Where are mirror neurons found? The location of mirror neurons is not unique, but they have been found in various areas, such as the inferior frontal gyrus and in the parietal lobe.
The mirror neuron is considered one of the most important discoveries in the field of neuroscience the last decade.
Giacomo Rizzolatti and mirror neurons
The discovery of mirror neurons It is attributed to Giacomo Rizzolatti, an Italian neurobiologist, who studied medicine and devoted himself to research. In 1996, Rizzolatti along with other scientists investigated the lower frontal cortex of a macaque monkey to study the neurons responsible for hand movements. In this way, mirror neurons were discovered by chance. Subsequent research has confirmed the finding and discovered the location of mirror neurons: in the lower parietal and lower frontal regions of the brain. In addition, the presence of this type of neurons has also been confirmed in humans.
Mirror neuron function.
Mirror neurons are considered an invisible network that binds people together and allows to learn from others. How do mirror neurons work? They work in the following way: when you observe someone smile, an internal reproduction of this movement is created, and then these signals are sent to the limbic system, the manager of emotions. In this way, the observant person understands what the person who has smiled is feeling. Therefore, it is said that emotions are contagious.
Mirror neurons are found in different locations in the brain, such as the premotor cortex and Broca's area. That is why they intervene in different functions or capacities. Mirror neurons especially influence:
- The perception of stimuli.
- Motor ability.
- The language.
- The learning.
- The interpersonal relationships.
Importance of mirror neurons
We are social beings, therefore, understand and learn from the actions of others is essential. Mirror neurons allow us to understand the minds of others as they reflect their sensations. When a person performs an action, there is a motivation behind it, a motive, an intention. Mirror neurons allow such intentions to be understood. It is believed that the development of these neurons begins at 3 months of age.
Mirror neurons and learning.
One of the main ways of learning is vicarious learning or learning by imitation. Mirror neurons are fundamental to imitation since they are activated both when seeing a person perform an action and when they perform. The link between mirror neurons and imitation is so strong that without mirror neurons the way of imitating would change completely. In addition, they make it possible to play a role, an important fact in the work of actors and actresses.
Mirror neurons are also important in the process of language learningand in communication in general. Mirror neurons are essential in the control and also in the interpretation of the gestures and movements that are used in communication. These neurons detect the facial gestures and the movement of the hands of others and intervene in their interpretation and imitation. Thus, mirror neurons facilitate non-verbal communication. Researchers have found that these neurons fire equally when speaking as when listening.
Mirror neurons and empathy.
What is the relationship between empathy and mirror neurons? In addition to movements and gestures, mirror neurons detect the intention behind them. These neurons automatically interpret the expressions of others informing us of how they feel. After the interpretation of the expression, this state is simulated in the observer, allowing to feel what the observed feels. In this way, you can intuit or deduce what others think or feel, something essential for social relationships. This is possible since the regions that contain mirror neurons connect with the parts responsible for emotions, such as the limbic system. And in that way grasp the mental state of the other, that is, to connect with the other, a social capacity that receives the name of empathy.
Mirror neurons and autism.
Seeing that mirror neurons are so important to social interactions, it is not surprising that I hypothesize about their relationship between them. autism spectrum disorders (ASD). People with ASD have problems understanding the minds of others, which makes social relationships difficult, since they are faced with the uncertainty created by the fact of not understanding the intentions of others. Indeed, the activity of mirror neurons in people with ASD has been found to be altered.[1] In addition, this finding is already being used as a form of intervention: imitation is being used to exercise mirror neurons.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to What are mirror neurons and what is their function?, we recommend that you enter our category of Neuropsychology.
References
- Giraldo Torres, L. R., Restrepo de Mejía, F., & Arboleda Sánchez, V. TO. (2018). Autism spectrum disorder, electroencephalography, and mirror neurons. Acta Neurológica Colombiana, 34 (3), 215-222.
Bibliography
- Iacoboni, M. (2009). Mirror neurons: Empathy, neuropolitics, autism, imitation, or how we understand others (Vol. 3055). Katz editors.
- Garcia, E. G., Marqués, J. G., & Unturbe, F. M. (2011). Mirror neurons and theory of mind in explaining empathy. Anxiety and stress, 17 (2), 265-279.
- Rizzolatti, G. (2005). Mirror neurons put you in the place of the other. The country. Madrid.
- Rizzolatti, G. et al. (2007). Mirror neurons. Research and Science. January, 14-21.
