Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Nonconscious Mimicry01:13

Nonconscious Mimicry

Nonconscious mimicry occurs when individuals alter their mannerisms to match the behaviors and expressions of those nearby, without intention.
Neurons as Communicators of the Brain01:22

Neurons as Communicators of the Brain

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, function as the primary transmitters of information throughout the body. Their ability to communicate through electrical and chemical signals is vital for every bodily function, from regulating the heartbeat to processing complex thoughts. Each neuron has three main components: the cell body (soma), dendrites, and an axon, each specialized to facilitate swift and efficient neural communication.
Cell Body
The cell body, also known...
Empathy02:34

Empathy

Some researchers suggest that altruism operates on empathy. Empathy is the capacity to understand another person’s perspective, to feel what he or she feels. An empathetic person makes an emotional connection with others and feels compelled to help (Batson, 1991). Empathy can be expressed in several ways, including cognitive, affective, and motor.
Neuronal Communication01:28

Neuronal Communication

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...
Facial Feedback Hypothesis01:24

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

Charles Darwin proposed that facial expressions are an evolutionary adaptation for communication. He argued that these expressions are not influenced by culture but are universal across species. For example, a snarling expression with exposed teeth signals a threat in many animals, including humans. Darwin also suggested that displaying an emotion can intensify the feeling. Smiling, for example, could enhance one's sense of happiness. This idea laid the foundation for understanding the role of...
Introducing Social Perception01:29

Introducing Social Perception

Perceiving others accurately is fundamental to effective communication and relationship-building. Social perception, a key concept in social psychology, refers to the cognitive processes through which individuals gather and interpret information about others to understand their actions, intentions, and motivations. This process extends beyond spoken words and overt behaviors, incorporating subtle nonverbal cues and contextual factors.Nonverbal Cues and Their SignificanceNonverbal cues play a...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Superficial Ventral Premotor Pathways to Primary Motor Cortex Shape the Temporal Coordination of Precision Grasping.

The European journal of neuroscience·2026
Same author

Neural representations of perceived engagement during action observation.

NeuroImage·2026
Same author

Alpha and Beta Corticomotor Phase Dynamics Shape Visuomotor Control on a Single-Trial Basis.

The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience·2026
Same author

Action Observation Training for Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study on the Role of Attention.

Journal of clinical medicine·2025
Same author

Sensorimotor integration during grasping is mediated by distinct M1 circuits.

Journal of neurophysiology·2025
Same author

Noncredible symptom reporting in whiplash injury: The role of financial incentives and validity testing with the Self-Report Symptom Inventory (SRSI).

Applied neuropsychology. Adult·2025
Same journal

Social isolation, loneliness, genetic susceptibility, and the risk of hypothyroidism.

Social neuroscience·2026
Same journal

The neuronal dynamics of different types of incentives on risk-taking: comparing financial and social rewards using fMRI.

Social neuroscience·2026
Same journal

Variability in medial prefrontal cortex responses to smiles in human infants is linked to genetic variation in the oxytocin system.

Social neuroscience·2026
Same journal

Dyadic emotional and cognitive shifts in moral decision-making: EEG and autonomic similarity.

Social neuroscience·2026
Same journal

The relationship between social reward behavior and mesolimbic dopamine release.

Social neuroscience·2026
Same journal

ANNOUNCEMENT.

Social neuroscience·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

A Novel Experimental and Analytical Approach to the Multimodal Neural Decoding of Intent During Social Interaction in Freely-behaving Human Infants
11:14

A Novel Experimental and Analytical Approach to the Multimodal Neural Decoding of Intent During Social Interaction in Freely-behaving Human Infants

Published on: October 4, 2015

The mirror neuron system: new frontiers.

Christian Keysers1, Luciano Fadiga

  • 1University of Groningen, and University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands. c.m.keysers@rug.nl

Social Neuroscience
|November 4, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers are exploring the human mirror neuron system, its functions in social interaction, and its potential role in emotions and thoughts. This special issue presents diverse research methods and findings on this fascinating brain network.

More Related Videos

A Modified Mirror Test as a Visual Guide for the Self-awareness Trait in Wild Antarctica Penguins, Pygoscelis adeliae
04:51

A Modified Mirror Test as a Visual Guide for the Self-awareness Trait in Wild Antarctica Penguins, Pygoscelis adeliae

Published on: July 8, 2025

Investigating the Effect of Different Types of Exercise on Upper Limb Functional Recovery in Patients with Right Hemisphere Damage Based on fNIRS
04:43

Investigating the Effect of Different Types of Exercise on Upper Limb Functional Recovery in Patients with Right Hemisphere Damage Based on fNIRS

Published on: February 9, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

A Novel Experimental and Analytical Approach to the Multimodal Neural Decoding of Intent During Social Interaction in Freely-behaving Human Infants
11:14

A Novel Experimental and Analytical Approach to the Multimodal Neural Decoding of Intent During Social Interaction in Freely-behaving Human Infants

Published on: October 4, 2015

A Modified Mirror Test as a Visual Guide for the Self-awareness Trait in Wild Antarctica Penguins, Pygoscelis adeliae
04:51

A Modified Mirror Test as a Visual Guide for the Self-awareness Trait in Wild Antarctica Penguins, Pygoscelis adeliae

Published on: July 8, 2025

Investigating the Effect of Different Types of Exercise on Upper Limb Functional Recovery in Patients with Right Hemisphere Damage Based on fNIRS
04:43

Investigating the Effect of Different Types of Exercise on Upper Limb Functional Recovery in Patients with Right Hemisphere Damage Based on fNIRS

Published on: February 9, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Social Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

  • Mirror neurons, discovered decades ago, have spurred extensive research into their human brain localization and characteristics.
  • Understanding the mirror system is crucial for deciphering complex human social behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review original findings on mirror neurons and introduce key topics of this special issue.
  • To investigate the coding principles, neural embedding, and functional contributions of the mirror system.
  • To explore the extension of mirror neuron principles to emotions, sensations, and thoughts.

Main Methods:

  • A wide array of methodologies were employed, including single-cell recordings.
  • Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and electroencephalography (EEG) were utilized.
  • Psychophysical methods were also incorporated to gather comprehensive data.

Main Results:

  • The special issue presents impressive answers derived from diverse research approaches.
  • Findings shed light on how the mirror system codes information and integrates within broader neural circuits.
  • Evidence suggests the mirror system's significant role in communication, language, and social interaction.

Conclusions:

  • The mirror system's involvement extends beyond motor actions to encompass emotions, sensations, and thoughts.
  • This collection of research provides significant insights into the multifaceted nature of the mirror neuron system.
  • Continued investigation using varied methods promises further elucidation of the mirror system's role in human cognition and social behavior.