A mirror neuron is a neuron which fires both when an animal performs an action and when the animal observes the same action performed by another (especially conspecific) animal. A new type of neuron could help explain how we learn through mimicry and why we empathize with others.
It has also been proposed that problems with the mirror neuron system may underlie cognitive disorders, particularly autism. However the connection between mirror neuron dysfunction and autism is tentative and it remains to be seen how mirror neurons may be related to many of the important characteristics of autism. The function of the mirror system is a subject of much speculation. Many researchers in cognitive neuroscience and cognitive psychology consider that this system provides the physiological mechanism for the perception/action coupling (see the common coding theory). The mind's mirror. A new type of neuron--called a mirror neuron--could help explain how we learn through mimicry and why we empathize with others. Now, some researchers believe that a recent discovery called mirror neurons might provide a neuroscience-based answer to those questions. Mirror neurons are a type of brain cell that respond equally when we perform an action and when we witness someone else perform the same action. A new type of neuron--called a mirror neuron--could help explain how we learn through mimicry and why we empathize with others. 1. Mirror Neurons Mirror neurons are widely regarded as an important key to social cognition. Despite wide agreement that mirror neurons are important, there is very little consensus on how or why they are important. The goal of this paper is to clearly explicate the exact role mirror neurons play in social cognition. Mirror neurons are widely regarded as an important key to social cognition. Despite such wide agreement, there is very little consensus on how or why they are important. Mirror neurons are a type of brain cell that fires when you do an action, and also when you simply watch someone else doing the same action.  A mirror neuron is a neuron that fires both when an animal acts and when the animal observes the same action performed by another. Thus, the neuron mirrors the behavior of the other, as though the observer were itself acting. Such neurons have been directly observed in primate species. The function of the mirror system is a subject of much speculation. Many researchers in cognitive neuroscience and cognitive psychology consider that this system provides the physiological mechanism for the perception/action coupling (see the common coding theory). In 2000, Vilayanur Ramachandran, the charismatic neuroscientist, made a bold prediction: “mirror neurons will do for psychology what DNA did for biology.” He's at the forefront of a frenzy of excitement that has followed these cells ever since their discovery. Troublesome findings here include the fact that mirror neurons appear to acquire their properties through experience. Research by Cecelia Heyes and others has shown that learning experiences can reverse, nullify or exaggerate mirror-like properties in motor cells. Video. A mirror neuron is a neuron which fires both when an animal performs an action and when the animal observes the same action performed by another (especially conspecific) animal. Thus, the neuron mirrors the behavior of another animal, as though the observer were himself performing the action. In the monkey, mirror neurons are found in the inferior frontal gyrus and inferior parietal lobule. These neurons are active when the monkeys perform certain tasks, but they also fire when the monkeys watch someone else perform the same specific task. Rizzolatti’s research on mirror neurons has inspired the development of “mirror treatments” to help stroke victims recover motor function as well as countless other publications that span various disciplines in psychology, neuroscience, and health. Many researchers believe that these neurons could be important for imitation, language acquisition, and various forms of perception. The development of mirror neurons in humans is what allows us to learn through observation and communication and may play a role in how we understand the actions of others.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_neuron http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct05/mirror.aspx http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct05/mirror.aspx http://www.academia.edu/1487108/Mirror_Neurons_and_Social_Cognition http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Mirror%20Neurons https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_neuron https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brain-myths/201212/mirror-neurons-the-most-hyped-concept-in-neuroscience http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Mirror_neurons http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/faces-minds/mirror-neurons.html
what are mirror neurons in psychology