The human mirror system: a motor resonance theory of mind-reading.
Electrophysiological data confirm the existence of neurons that respond to both motor and sensory events in the macaque brain. These mirror neurons respond to execution and observation of goal-orientated actions. It has been suggested that they comprise a neural basis for encoding an internal representation of action. In this paper the evidence for a parallel system in humans is reviewed and the implications for human theory of mind processing are discussed. Different components of theory of mind are discussed; the evidence for mirror activity within subtypes is addressed. While there is substantial evidence for a human mirror system, there are weaknesses in the attempts to localize such a system in the brain. Preliminary evidence indicates that mirror neurons may be involved in theory of mind; however, these data by their very nature are reliant on the presence, and precise characterization, of the human mirror system.
Agnew
Zarinah K
ZK
MRC Clinical Sciences Center, Imperial College London, UK. z.agnew@csc.mrc.ac.uk
Bhakoo
Kishore K
KK
Puri
Basant K
BK
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D011932:Reading