Mirror Neuron Systems: The Role of Mirroring Processes in Social Cognition

Description

The discovery of mirror neurons and of a mirror neuron system in the human brain raises the interesting possibility that "mirroring" may constitute novel instances of mental simulation. It also provides the basis for unique processes such as "mindreading," the ability to make inferences about the actions of others. That an elementary process in motor cognition may be foundational to mindreading goes a long way in providing a rational basis for the study of social cognition. Social cognition is a broad discipline that encompasses many issues not yet adequately addressed by neurobiologists. In Mirror Neuron Systems: The Role of Mirroring Processes in Social Cognition, leading thinkers in this nascent field craft chapters aimed at sparking a dialogue regarding the relevance of mirroring neural systems in cognition. Thought-provoking and cutting-edge, Mirror Neuron Systems: The Role of Mirroring Processes in Social Cognition provides the basis for extended discussion among interested readers and lays down the guidelines for future research in this fascinating and expanding field. It addresses issues common to different perspectives, raises contrary views, and creates the basis for an extended dialogue and discussion. Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Unifying Social Cognition....Pages 1-35 Reflections on the Mirror Neuron System: Their Evolutionary Functions Beyond Motor Representation....Pages 39-59 Front Matter....Pages 1-1 The Neurophysiology of Early Motor Resonance....Pages 63-76 The Rational Continuum of Human Imitation....Pages 77-103 Front Matter....Pages 1-1 From Embodied Representation to Co-regulation....Pages 107-120 The Problem of Other Minds Is Not a Problem: Mirror Neurons and Intersubjectivity....Pages 121-133 Hierarchically Organized Mirroring Processes in Social Cognition: The Functional Neuroanatomy of Empathy....Pages 135-160 Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Mirror Neurons and the Neural Exploitation Hypothesis: From Embodied Simulation to Social Cognition....Pages 163-190 From Imitation to Reciprocation and Mutual Recognition....Pages 191-212 Automatic and Controlled Processing within the Mirror Neuron System....Pages 213-233 Embodied Perspective on Emotion-Cognition Interactions....Pages 235-257 Front Matter....Pages 1-1 The Role of Mirror Neuron Dysfunction in Autism....Pages 261-286 Synaesthesia for Pain: Feeling Pain with Another....Pages 287-307 Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Mirroring, Mindreading, and Simulation....Pages 311-330 Does the Mirror Neuron System and Its Impairment Explain Human Imitation and Autism?....Pages 331-354 Neural Simulation and Social Cognition....Pages 355-371 Back Matter....Pages 373-375