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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Article Summary and Link

Article on the Relationship between Mirror Neurons and Empathy
 
The article on the relationship between mirror neurons and empathy is a report on the highlights of a conference and interview with Neuroscientist V.S. Ramachandran about what mirror neurons can and cannot do, about empathy, and about the relationship between the dysfunction of mirror neurons and autism. The article informs us that mirror neurons were discovered while researchers were observing monkeys’ brains. Researchers noticed that some of the same brain cells (mirror neurons) were activated when a monkey performed an action and when a monkey watched another monkey perform the same action. The article tells us where mirror neurons are located in the brain and states that mirror neurons are involved in empathy and language. We also learn how the dysfunction of mirror neurons relates to autism with respect to the fact that typically people with autism struggle with imitation and lack empathy.  The article concludes by explaining that mirror neurons take part in transmitting skills throughout generations. It explains that mirror neurons are not solely responsible for behavior. It reminds us that science is constantly progressing and that errors are common, but okay because they can be corrected.  

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