Mirror Neurons

Transmitting billions of commands every single second, neurons help relay visual stimuli from our environment to our brain. Neurons, in connection with their corresponding connections with muscle and tissue, stimulate all bodily functions, ranging from a simple blink to a more demanding sprint. Recently, a new class of neurons, coined “mirror neurons” by neuroscientist Giacomo Rizzolatti, has been discovered. These neurons are specifically activated when an individual views another performing the same action as them. For example, if an individual picks up an apple and then sees another person pick up a different apple, this stimulates their mirror neurons. When triggered, these neurons form new synapses, and help to  encode the action for future recall.

So far, researchers have discovered two types of mirror neurons: strictly congruent and broadly congruent. Strictly congruent mirror neurons activate when the exact same action is executed, whereas broadly congruent neurons activate if a similar action is performed. The presence of mirror neurons suggests new methods of learning actions and the explanation behind herd behavior.

The formation of memories that results from  mirror neuron stimulation could be used to teach people different tasks. For example, the “Like me” theory of child development proposes that babies learn to move by imitating  people around them. This theory is further supported by findings from  researchers at the University of Washington, which show that simple activities, such as finger movement and mouth opening, can be emulated by infants. Theoretically, people can be taught complex processes by watching other people do the same task. Charlie Huntington described the process of replication, stating, “I simply noticed behaviors and imagined myself doing the same thing on the wall. Later, I learned that these shifts in position were helping the climbers prepare for their next move, gain more balance, or decrease the strain on their arms.” By innately noting and copying the behaviors of more experienced climbers, Huntington’s mirror neurons were activated and he was able to replicate those exact moves. Similarly, math teachers doing problems in front of students and chemistry teachers performing tests alongside students may be valuable methods for educating their classes.  Overall, harnessing the power of mirror neurons could potentially lead to many advancements in teaching methodology.

In social settings, the people that one interacts with could directly influence their actions. Herd behavior, defined as when individuals decide to imitate group behaviors and not express their own individuality, could be caused by the stimulation of mirror neurons. A notable example of herd behavior is the Dancing Plague of 1518. When a woman named Frau Troffea started to continuously dance in the streets of Alsace (located in modern-day France), others started to join in, resulting in a dancing plague that lasted for about 5 weeks and is estimated to have claimed around 300 lives. Although there is no definitive cause behind this event, it is believed that mass hysteria may have played a significant role, with the movements of the dancers exciting the mirror neurons in others and  encouraging them to dance. Nowadays, the effects of mirror neurons can be seen in social settings such as parties or schools, with simple phrases  or a specific types of clothing stimulating them and resulting in the spread of the behavior’s influence, or “trends”.

The impact of mirror neurons on lives can be displayed through everyday activities. Whether it's a student in class or animals in a jungle, the actions that others perform could set  a foundation for teaching invaluable skills. This neurological phenomenon also explains herd behavior, which can be utilized to influence and teach larger groups of people. While our current understanding of mirror neurons is limited, they possess potential revolutionary applications toward machine learning, teaching styles, and physical rehabilitation. 

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Written by Namann Sonkar

References

• Huntington, Charlie. “Mirror Neurons: Definition, Function, & Examples​.” The Berkeley Well-Being Institute, www.berkeleywellbeing.com/mirror-neurons.html#:~:text=The%20 mirror%20 neurons%20in%20 monkeys. Accessed 26 Feb. 2024.

• Sebanz, Natalie, and Gunther Knoblich. “Mirror Neuron | Anatomy.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/science/mirror-neuron.

• Winerman, Lea. “The Mind’s Mirror.” Apa.org, 2022, www.apa.org/monitor/oct05/mirror#:~:text=Neuroscientist%20 Giacomo%20 Rizzolatti%2C%20MD%2C%20who.