Deciphering mirror neurons: rational decision versus associative learning.
The rational-decision approach is superior to the associative-learning approach of Cook et al. at explaining why mirror neurons fire or do not fire - even when the stimulus is the same. The rational-decision approach is superior because it starts with the analysis of the intention of the organism, that is, with the identification of the specific objective or goal that the organism is trying to maximize.
Department of Economics, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia. elias.khalil@monash.edu http://eliaskhalil.com.
Elias L
EL
Khalil
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D059167:Mirror Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D012938:Social Perception