scholarly journals Mirror neurons: From origin to function

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Cook ◽  
Geoffrey Bird ◽  
Caroline Catmur ◽  
Clare Press ◽  
Cecilia Heyes
Keyword(s):  
Associative Learning ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Individual Development ◽  
System Level ◽  
Sensorimotor Training ◽  
Human Infants ◽  
Similar Action ◽  
Associative Account

AbstractThis article argues that mirror neurons originate in sensorimotor associative learning and therefore a new approach is needed to investigate their functions. Mirror neurons were discovered about 20 years ago in the monkey brain, and there is now evidence that they are also present in the human brain. The intriguing feature of many mirror neurons is that they fire not only when the animal is performing an action, such as grasping an object using a power grip, but also when the animal passively observes a similar action performed by another agent. It is widely believed that mirror neurons are a genetic adaptation for action understanding; that they were designed by evolution to fulfill a specific socio-cognitive function. In contrast, we argue that mirror neurons are forged by domain-general processes of associative learning in the course of individual development, and, although they may have psychological functions, they do not necessarily have a specific evolutionary purpose or adaptive function. The evidence supporting this view shows that (1) mirror neurons do not consistently encode action “goals”; (2) the contingency- and context-sensitive nature of associative learning explains the full range of mirror neuron properties; (3) human infants receive enough sensorimotor experience to support associative learning of mirror neurons (“wealth of the stimulus”); and (4) mirror neurons can be changed in radical ways by sensorimotor training. The associative account implies that reliable information about the function of mirror neurons can be obtained only by research based on developmental history, system-level theory, and careful experimentation.

The mirror system in human and nonhuman primates

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy A. Orban
Keyword(s):  
Associative Learning ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Mirror System ◽  
Sensorimotor Learning ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Additional Testing

AbstractThe description of the mirror neuron system provided by Cook et al. is incomplete for the macaque, and incorrect for humans. This is relevant to exaptation versus associative learning as the underlying mechanism generating mirror neurons, and to the sensorimotor learning as evidence for the authors' viewpoint. The proposed additional testing of the mirror system in rodents is unrealistic.

scholarly journals Mirroring ‘meaningful’ actions: Sensorimotor learning modulates imitation of goal-directed actions

2018 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 322-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Catmur ◽  
Cecilia Heyes
Keyword(s):  
Associative Learning ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Sensorimotor Learning ◽  
Spatial Compatibility ◽  
Sensorimotor Training ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Neural Substrate ◽  
Neuron Function ◽  
Motor Representations

Imitation is important in the development of social and technological skills throughout the lifespan. Experiments investigating the acquisition and modulation of imitation (and of its proposed neural substrate, the mirror neuron system) have produced evidence that the capacity for imitation depends on associative learning in which connections are formed between sensory and motor representations of actions. However, evidence that the development of imitation depends on associative learning has been found only for non-goal-directed actions. One reason for the lack of research on goal-directed actions is that imitation of such actions is commonly confounded with the tendency to respond in a spatially compatible manner. However, since the most prominent account of mirror neuron function, and hence of imitation, suggests that these cells encode goal-directed actions, it is important to establish whether sensorimotor learning can also modulate imitation of goal-directed actions. Experiment 1 demonstrated that imitation of goal-directed grasping can be measured while controlling for spatial compatibility, and Experiment 2 showed that this imitation effect can be modulated by sensorimotor training. Together, these data support the hypothesis that the capacity for behavioural imitation and the properties of the mirror neuron system are constructed in the course of development through associative learning.

Understanding Actions and the Intentions of Others: The Basic Neural Mechanism

2007 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
GIACOMO RIZZOLATTI ◽  
MADDALENA FABBRI DESTRO
Keyword(s):  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Neural Mechanism ◽  
Similar Action ◽  
Basic Properties ◽  
Intention Understanding

In this study, we first briefly review the basic properties of a particular set of neurons that discharge both when the individuals execute a specific action and when they observe another individual doing a similar action. These neurons are called mirror neurons. We then show that mirror neurons mediate our capacity to understand actions done by others. In the second part of the study we discuss the role of the mirror mechanism in intention understanding. We conclude with a review of recent data suggesting that a deficit in the mirror neuron mechanism may underlie some aspects of autism.

scholarly journals Mirror neurons: Tests and testability

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Catmur ◽  
Clare Press ◽  
Richard Cook ◽  
Geoffrey Bird ◽  
Cecilia Heyes
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
System Level

AbstractCommentators have tended to focus on the conceptual framework of our article, the contrast between genetic and associative accounts of mirror neurons, and to challenge it with additional possibilities rather than empirical data. This makes the empirically focused comments especially valuable. The mirror neuron debate is replete with ideas; what it needs now are system-level theories and careful experiments – tests and testability.

scholarly journals Making Mirrors: Premotor Cortex Stimulation Enhances Mirror and Counter-mirror Motor Facilitation

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 2352-2362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Catmur ◽  
Rogier B. Mars ◽  
Matthew F. Rushworth ◽  
Cecilia Heyes
Keyword(s):  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Premotor Cortex ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Inferior Parietal Cortex ◽  
Multiple Regions ◽  
Motor Information ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Associative Account ◽  
Mirror Effects ◽  
Premotor Areas

Mirror neurons fire during both the performance of an action and the observation of the same action being performed by another. These neurons have been recorded in ventral premotor and inferior parietal cortex in the macaque, but human brain imaging studies suggest that areas responding to the observation and performance of actions are more widespread. We used paired-pulse TMS to test whether dorsal as well as ventral premotor cortex is involved in producing mirror motor facilitation effects. Stimulation of premotor cortex enhanced mirror motor facilitation and also enhanced the effects of counter-mirror training. No differences were found between the two premotor areas. These results support an associative account of mirror neuron properties, whereby multiple regions that process both sensory and motor information have the potential to contribute to mirror effects.

scholarly journals Associative and sensorimotor learning for parenting involves mirror neurons under the influence of oxytocin

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Shaun Ho ◽  
Adam MacDonald ◽  
James E. Swain
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Associative Learning ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Learning Theories ◽  
Sensorimotor Learning ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Neuron Function ◽  
Abnormal Motor

AbstractMirror neuron–based associative learning may be understood according to associative learning theories, in addition to sensorimotor learning theories. This is important for a comprehensive understanding of the role of mirror neurons and related hormone modulators, such as oxytocin, in complex social interactions such as among parent–infant dyads and in examples of mirror neuron function that involve abnormal motor systems such as depression.

scholarly journals Associative learning alone is insufficient for the evolution and maintenance of the human mirror neuron system

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay M. Oberman ◽  
Edward M. Hubbard ◽  
Joseph P. McCleery
Keyword(s):  
Associative Learning ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
Developmental Neuroscience ◽  
Species Comparisons

AbstractCook et al. argue that mirror neurons originate from associative learning processes, without evolutionary influence from social-cognitive mechanisms. We disagree with this claim and present arguments based upon cross-species comparisons, EEG findings, and developmental neuroscience that the evolution of mirror neurons is most likely driven simultaneously and interactively by evolutionarily adaptive psychological mechanisms and lower-level biological mechanisms that support them.

scholarly journals Associative learning is necessary but not sufficient for mirror neuron development

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Bonaiuto
Keyword(s):  
Associative Learning ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Mirror System ◽  
Neuron Development ◽  
Additional Circuitry

AbstractExisting computational models of the mirror system demonstrate the additional circuitry needed for mirror neurons to display the range of properties that they exhibit. Such models emphasize the need for existing connectivity to form visuomotor associations, processing to reduce the space of possible inputs, and demonstrate the role neurons with mirror properties might play in monitoring one's own actions.

Higher-level processes in the formation and application of associations during action understanding

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lieke Heil ◽  
Stan van Pelt ◽  
Johan Kwisthout ◽  
Iris van Rooij ◽  
Harold Bekkering
Keyword(s):  
Associative Learning ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Intentional Action ◽  
Action Understanding ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Associative Account

AbstractThe associative account described in the target article provides a viable explanation for the origin of mirror neurons. We argue here that if mirror neurons develop purely by associative learning, then they cannot by themselves explain intentional action understanding. Higher-level processes seem to be involved in the formation of associations as well as in their application during action understanding.

scholarly journals Hebbian Learning is about contingency, not contiguity, and explains the emergence of predictive mirror neurons

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Keysers ◽  
David I. Perrett ◽  
Valeria Gazzola
Keyword(s):  
Associative Learning ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Hebbian Learning ◽  
Dynamic Networks ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Prediction Errors ◽  
Social Force ◽  
The Social

AbstractHebbian Learning should not be reduced to contiguity, as it detects contingency and causality. Hebbian Learning accounts of mirror neurons make predictions that differ from associative learning: Through Hebbian Learning, mirror neurons become dynamic networks that calculate predictions and prediction errors and relate to ideomotor theories. The social force of imitation is important for mirror neuron emergence and suggests canalization.

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