How Mirror Neurons Can Play a Part in Learning as well as Empathy

In "The Psychopath Inside," James Fallon briefly speaks about mirror neurons and their role in empathy within the brain. He explains that these mirror neurons make it possible for us to connect with others. This was found through the very first studies of mirror neurons involving apes and their neurological responses while performing actions and also while watching others performing the same actions.

The article "World cup: Why mirror neurons play a part in jubilation" explains how during the recent World Cup, fans were able to either celebrate the success of their team or mourn the loss of their team together. It starts as something simple as smiling when someone else smiles, or feeling sad when someone else is depressed. This allows us to feel a sense of empathy with this person, having the ability to put ourselves into that person's shoes. In the World Cup, fans are surrounded by others who are celebrating or mourning. Seeing these physical emotions triggers us to feel a similar way and we then experience a reward as a result.
This can also apply to fans who have previously played soccer. These people are more likely to be able to predict certain aspects of the games than those who have not played before. The people who have played before are able to predict the moves that players will make, while those who have not played before are less likely to be able to do this. Those people who have not played will have a small number of mirror neurons firing, while those that did, will have have multiple firings.

In addition to using these mirror neurons to predict parts of a soccer game, they are also used in areas like rehabilitation. Patients that have undergone strokes are shown how to perform exercises that will allow them to regain function. They are first shown how to do the exercises, either in person or on a television. After this occurs, they perform the exercise on their own. These mirror neurons are imperative to help the body plan what to do by first watching and then acting accordingly.

References:


World cup: Why mirror neurons play a part in jubilation. (2014, June 10). Retrieved February 27, 2015.


Fallon, J. (2013). The Psychopath Inside: A Neuroscientist's Personal Journey into the Dark Side of the Brain. New York: Penguin.