From empathy to mirror neurons and back to aesthetics

2021 ◽  
pp. 287-358
Author(s):  
Michael A. Arbib
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Reinforcement Learning ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Computational Model ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Aesthetic Appreciation ◽  
Future Design ◽  
Motor Component

This chapter approaches aesthetics anew by considering empathy and Einfühlung, “feeling ourselves into” a work of art or architecture. The key neuroscience is the discovery of mirror neurons in monkeys that inspired the discovery of mirror systems in humans. Unsupervised, supervised, and reinforcement learning, each based on a different rule for synaptic plasticity, are presented as background for a computational model of how mirror neuron wiring is learned. Mirror neurons may serve social interaction, but they also self-monitor in acquiring new behaviors. This is exemplified in modeling how adaptive sequences of behavior may be mastered through learning the desirability and executability of actions. Such opportunistic scheduling complements the role of scripts. Empathy is linked to mirror systems but also depends on systems beyond the mirror. Returning to Einfühlung, we explore how a motor component may enrich our aesthetic appreciation by recognizing the actions and emotions of protagonists in a representational painting, or by gaining some feeling for the actions of the artist, sculptor, or architect in creating the work. Finally, case studies are sampled, including those in neuroaesthetics seeking neural correlates for aesthetic appreciation, that contribute to a tool kit for assessing the experience of buildings to enrich future design.

scholarly journals The role of mirror neurons in cognitive and social functioning*

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 30-40
Author(s):  
Marta Fabiańska ◽  
Mateusz Bosiacki ◽  
Donata Simińska
Keyword(s):  
Human Brain ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Nerve Cells ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Evolutionary Point

AbstractMirror neurons were accidentally discovered during research on the activity of nerve cells which was conducted by a team of Italian scientists in Parma. They observed that certain brain cells were activated when an animal performed a given activity but also when it observed a similar activity performed by someone else. The following discovery of mirror neurons in the human brain initiated a wave of experimental research which confirmed that mirror nerve cells are responsible for understanding the mental state of other humans. This process is much more complicated and important from an evolutionary point of view than it might initially seem. The activity of mirror neurons is noticeable in everyday life, during all interactions with other living beings. This is exhibited through mirroring – the reflection of emotional and epistemic mental states of others based on their behavior. We present the activities of mirror neurons and the theoretical framework of research. Finally, we discuss the results of neurological studies which have made it possible to locate and define in detail the role of the mirror neuron system in the human brain.

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.

Reinforcement learning in social interaction: The distinguishing role of trait inference

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 ◽  
pp. 103948 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leor M. Hackel ◽  
Peter Mende-Siedlecki ◽  
David M. Amodio
Keyword(s):  
Reinforcement Learning ◽  
Social Interaction

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 A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE INFLUENCE OF MIRROR NEURONS IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Salles de Andrade ◽  
Milena Pereira Pondé
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Neural Mechanisms ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of experimental studies performed to assess the role of mirror neurons in the pathophysiology of autism. Four papers reported that areas of mirror neurons (MN) were under-active in autistic patients, giving weight to the theory of MN as a cause of ASD. Three papers indicated that MN were activated during the proposed activities, advocating atypical activation of MN, but not necessarily hypoactivation of these areas. One of the articles reported that only part of the MN system or just those areas of interconnected neurons are dysfunctional in autism. Analysis of the selected studies showed a correlation between dysfunction of the mirror neuron system and the main symptoms of autism such as deficits in social cognition, complete absence or a reduction in the individual’s interaction with his/her social environment and a failure in the neural mechanisms of imitation.

The role of mirror neurons in autism impairment

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S374-S375 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.D.L. Guedes Neta ◽  
C. Varanda
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Skill ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Brain Cortex ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
The World ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionThe discovery of mirror neurons, considered to be responsible for empathy, intrigued researchers all over the world. Many studies have been developed associating mirror neurons to the incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).ObjectiveIdentifying a possible influence of mirror neuron in autism.AimsReviewing the recent trajectory of neuroscience in relation to the connection of impaired mirror neurons in autism.MethodBibliographical review of studies in English, published in SciELO and LILACS databases, between 2008 and 2013. The keywords used were: autism, brain, cortex and mirror neuron.ResultsDifferent subjects explored the influence of mirror neurons in autism as shown below (Fig. 1). Among 17 studies, 12 were bibliographical reviews and 5 involved experiments. Seventy-six percent of the studies were favorable to the influence of these neurons, while 24% were not.ConclusionThere was a balance in the distribution of themes explored in the articles and few studies exploring the role of mirror neurons in autism. Even though the current research may not be conclusive, it can be said that currently neuroscientists tend to agree that mirror neurons significantly influence ASD. Recent studies suggest that, if properly stimulated, ASD individuals can develop their social skill and, consequently, be socially inserted. According to most author studied, technological development is needed in order to enable scientific advances involving mirror-neurons and ASD.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals A New Computational Model for Astrocytes and Their Role in Biologically Realistic Neural Networks

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Sajedinia ◽  
Sébastien Hélie
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Neural Networks ◽  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Computational Model ◽  
Bipartite Network ◽  
Presynaptic Neuron ◽  
Tripartite Synapse ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Robust To Noise

Recent studies in neuroscience show that astrocytes alongside neurons participate in modulating synapses. It led to the new concept of “tripartite synapse”, which means that a synapse consists of three parts: presynaptic neuron, postsynaptic neuron, and neighboring astrocytes. However, it is still unclear what role is played by the astrocytes in the tripartite synapse. Detailed biocomputational modeling may help generate testable hypotheses. In this article, we aim to study the role of astrocytes in synaptic plasticity by exploring whether tripartite synapses are capable of improving the performance of a neural network. To achieve this goal, we developed a computational model of astrocytes based on the Izhikevich simple model of neurons. Next, two neural networks were implemented. The first network was only composed of neurons and had standard bipartite synapses. The second network included both neurons and astrocytes and had tripartite synapses. We used reinforcement learning and tested the networks on categorizing random stimuli. The results show that tripartite synapses are able to improve the performance of a neural network and lead to higher accuracy in a classification task. However, the bipartite network was more robust to noise. This research provides computational evidence to begin elucidating the possible beneficial role of astrocytes in synaptic plasticity and performance of a neural network.

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