Mirror Neuron System

A Mirror Neuron System is a neural network system that activates both during action execution and action observation, enabling behavioral understanding and imitation learning.

• AKA: Mirror System, Action Mirroring System, Mirror Neuron Network, MNS.
• Context:
  • It can typically fire during Self-Performed Actions and Observed Actions.
  • It can typically enable Action Understanding through motor simulation.
  • It can often facilitate Imitation Learning via neural mirroring.
  • It can often support Empathy Process through emotional mirroring.
  • It can range from being a Simple Mirror Neuron System to being a Complex Mirror Neuron System, depending on its functional sophistication.
  • It can range from being a Motor Mirror System to being an Emotional Mirror System, depending on its mirroring domain.
  • It can range from being a Species-Specific Mirror System to being a Cross-Species Mirror System, depending on its response generality.
  • It can range from being a Intact Mirror System to being a Impaired Mirror System, depending on its functional integrity.
  • It can involve Premotor Cortex and Inferior Parietal Cortex for action representation.
  • It can contribute to Language Development through gesture understanding.
  • It can underlie Social Cognition via intention attribution.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Human Mirror Neuron Systems, such as:
    • Broca's Area Mirror System for language-related mirroring.
    • Inferior Frontal Gyrus Mirror System for action observation.
    • Superior Temporal Sulcus Mirror System for biological motion.
  • Primate Mirror Neuron Systems, such as:
    • Macaque F5 Mirror System for grasping action.
    • Ventral Premotor Mirror System for object manipulation.
  • Pathological Mirror Systems, such as:
    • Autism Spectrum Mirror System for reduced mirroring.
    • Schizophrenia Mirror System for altered mirroring.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Canonical Neuron System, which responds to object affordances without action observation.
  • Sensory Neuron System, which processes sensory input without motor component.
  • Executive Control System, which manages cognitive control without mirroring function.
• See: Neural Network System, Action Recognition System, Imitation Learning Process, Social Cognition System, Empathy Mechanism, Premotor Cortex, Inferior Parietal Lobe, Broca's Area, Giacomo Rizzolatti, Theory of Mind, Action Understanding Task, Emotional Contagion Mechanism.

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