By contributing author Paul Li, a neuroscience graduate student at Columbia.
Have you ever inexplicably and involuntarily yawned after someone else does the same? Well, researchers may have found the neural basis for intention and emotions, empathy in particular. Neurons become activated not only when one performs an action, but also when viewing it!
Why might mirror neurons be useful? Researchers have suggested that they may play a major role in language learning, which involves mimicry and also our ability to empathize with others. Such a case occurs when watching a movie – we tend to emotionally relate to the characters. Mirror neurons can also help explain why autistic children are unable to read other people’s emotions or why women tend to be more empathetic than men. For more on mirror neurons, check out the recent article Therapeutic Reflection in Scientific American Mind.
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