<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Mirror 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.</p>
</abstract>

Mirror 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.

The role of mirror neurons in cognitive and social functioning<sup>*</sup>

Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin

Department of Functional Diagnostics and Physical Medicine

Chair of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry

Pomeranian Journal of Life Sciences

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The role of mirror neurons in cognitive and social functioning

Mirror neurons were accidentally discovered during research on the activity of nerve cells which was conducted by a team of Italian scientists in Parma. They...

The role of mirror neurons in cognitive and social functioning^*

Published Online: Jan 07, 2021

Page range: 30 - 40

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21164/pomjlifesci.726

Keywords
mirror neurons, mind theory, autism, empathy

© 2020 Marta Fabiańska et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The role of mirror neurons in cognitive and social functioning*

Published Online: Jan 07, 2021

Page range: 30 - 40

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21164/pomjlifesci.726

Keywordsmirror neurons, mind theory, autism, empathy

© 2020 Marta Fabiańska et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The role of mirror neurons in cognitive and social functioning^*

Keywords
mirror neurons, mind theory, autism, empathy