What Are Mirror Neurons and How Are They Related to Empathy

Question

Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Mirror neurons are a type of brain cell that respond equally when we perform an action and when we witness someone else perform the same action. They were first discovered in the early 1990s by a team of Italian researchers led by neuroscientist Giacomo Rizzolatti. The discovery was made while studying the brains of macaque monkeys; the researchers found that certain neurons in the premotor cortex (an area of the brain involved in planning and executing movements) were activated not only when the monkeys performed an action, such as grabbing an object, but also when the monkeys observed another individual performing that action.

The existence of mirror neurons in humans has been inferred from various neuroimaging studies and experiments using electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG). In humans, mirror neuron systems have been identified in regions including the premotor cortex, the supplementary motor area, the primary somatosensory cortex, and the inferior parietal cortex.

Mirror neurons are believed to be a key element in the neural mechanisms of social cognition. They are thought to enable an individual to understand the actions of others by providing an internal simulation of the motor actions that are observed. This mirroring process allows the observer to "put themselves in another's shoes" and may be fundamental to understanding the intentions and emotions of others.

The relationship between mirror neurons and empathy lies in the ability of mirror neurons to facilitate the understanding of other people's actions, intentions, and feelings. Empathy involves the capacity to recognize and, to some extent, share the emotions and states of mind experienced by others. It is a complex psychological response that includes affective (emotional) and cognitive (understanding) components.

When we observe someone else experiencing an emotion, such as pain or joy, our mirror neuron system may activate as if we were experiencing that emotion ourselves. This neural mirroring can help us to empathize with the person by enabling us to feel a semblance of their emotional state. This process is thought to be automatic and unconscious, providing a neural basis for empathy and the social bonds that arise from it.

In summary, mirror neurons are a class of neurons that respond to both performing and observing actions. They are thought to play a crucial role in social cognition by allowing individuals to understand and empathize with the actions and emotions of others through an internal simulation of observed experiences.

What Are Mirror Neurons and How Are They Related to Empathy

Definitions: