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Resonance behaviors and mirror neurons
G Rizzolatti1, L Fadiga, L Fogassi
1Istituto di Fisiologia Umana, Università di Parma, Italy.
Archives Italiennes De Biologie
|June 1, 1999
Summary
Mirror neurons fire both when an action is performed and observed. This neurophysiological mechanism, termed resonance behavior, may underlie action understanding and imitation in humans and animals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Motor Control
Background:
- Mirror neurons are premotor neurons that discharge during both action execution and observation.
- Resonance behaviors involve the reproduction of observed actions, either overtly or internally.
- Understanding the neurophysiological basis of these behaviors is crucial for cognitive neuroscience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the properties of mirror neurons.
- To provide a neurophysiological account of resonance behaviors.
- To explore the role of mirror mechanisms in action understanding and imitation.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on mirror neurons and resonance behaviors.
- Neurophysiological analysis of action execution and observation.
- Examination of evidence for mirror mechanisms in humans.
Main Results:
- Mirror neurons exhibit congruent firing during action execution and observation.
- Two types of resonance behavior are identified: imitation and internal action representation.
- Second type of resonance behavior, not involving overt imitation, is proposed to underpin action understanding.
Conclusions:
- Mirror neurons and resonance behaviors offer a neurophysiological explanation for imitation and action understanding.
- Evidence suggests the presence and function of mirror mechanisms in humans.
- Further research into the anatomical localization and functional significance of human mirror systems is warranted.