The neural origins and implications of imitation, mirror neurons and tool use.
Several recent studies report how laboratory-raised, non-human primates exposed to tool use can exhibit intelligent behaviors, such as imitation and reference vocal control, that are never seen in their wild counterparts. Tool-use training appears to forge a novel cortico-cortical connection that underlies this boost in capacity, which normally exists only as latent potential in lower primates. Although tool-use training is patently non-naturalistic, its marked effects on brain organization and behavior could shed light on the evolution of higher intelligence in humans.
Iriki
Atsushi
A
RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Development, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan. iriki@brain.riken.jp
D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D000882:Haplorhini / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D011603:Psychophysiology; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000502:physiology