3 Striking Mirror Neuron Functions

The neurosciences continue to surprise us with their findings. One of the fields in which the most progress has been made is in the study of the functions of mirror neurons. In principle, it was known that these neurons reflected in “the interior” what we see on the outside. That is why they were called a mirror.

However, as the subject has progressed, new functions of mirror neurons appear. This possibility of reflecting the external in the internal makes them have an impact on a whole set of behaviors, both intellectual and social.

The interesting thing about all this is that science has shown that mirror neurons fire when someone is observed performing an action. In other words, it seems as if you were doing it yourself. We have only just begun to explore them , but three major functions of mirror neurons are already known. They are as follows.

1. Learning, one of the functions of mirror neurons

Francisco Mora is Professor of Human Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine of the Complutense University of Madrid. He has studied the functions of mirror neurons; a work that collected in a book called Neuroeducation. In this, he raises several interesting aspects about the relationship between these neurons and learning.

In this text, the professor cites two revealing experiments. In the first one, an actor was hired to teach a group of students. Such classes had great emotional content (like a play), but little academic content. In the end, the students were asked to rate the teacher and they all noted that he was an excellent professional.

In the other experiment, students were asked to rate how good the teachers in the books were. Students rated those who gave their classes more emotional content better. Both in this case and in the previous one, it was verified that the more emotional behaviors activate the mirror neurons more. This, in turn, builds more empathy and makes learning more effective.

2. Help to identify the intentions of others

Anticipation of the thoughts and intentions of others has to do with the so-called theory of mind. In this regard there are two positions. One indicates that this capacity develops in childhood, a stage in which we build a kind of theories about what others think. The other position indicates that such capacity develops throughout life, as we observe and contrast the actions of others.

It has been discovered that one of the functions of mirror neurons is to activate this ability to anticipate the thoughts, feelings and intentions of others. These types of neurons remove the barrier between the self and others. That’s why they activate that function.

Mirror neurons are “the neurons of social life.” They facilitate the understanding of the other. So much so, that there is evidence that these types of neurons have very limited activity in those with autism, for example.

3. Pillars of empathy

The main function of mirror neurons (and which is implicit in one way or another in the other two functions already mentioned) is empathy. This is defined as the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. There is a kind of identification that allows us to reflect the world of that other person within our own self. As if what the other feels or experiences we also feel or experience.

At first it was thought that what mirror neurons reflected was only the motor behavior of others. However, scientists like Marco Locoboni , from the University of California, discovered that this projection was also carried out with emotions and attitudes.

It is claimed that it only takes a few days of life to learn to identify the expressions of pleasure or anger on the faces of others. If someone smiles at the baby, that smile will also take place in their limbic system. The same goes for expressions of rejection. Therefore, the main function of mirror neurons is to connect us with others.