The mirror-neuron system

Annu Rev Neurosci. 2004:27:169-92. doi: 10.1146/annurev.neuro.27.070203.144230.

Abstract

A category of stimuli of great importance for primates, humans in particular, is that formed by actions done by other individuals. If we want to survive, we must understand the actions of others. Furthermore, without action understanding, social organization is impossible. In the case of humans, there is another faculty that depends on the observation of others' actions: imitation learning. Unlike most species, we are able to learn by imitation, and this faculty is at the basis of human culture. In this review we present data on a neurophysiological mechanism--the mirror-neuron mechanism--that appears to play a fundamental role in both action understanding and imitation. We describe first the functional properties of mirror neurons in monkeys. We review next the characteristics of the mirror-neuron system in humans. We stress, in particular, those properties specific to the human mirror-neuron system that might explain the human capacity to learn by imitation. We conclude by discussing the relationship between the mirror-neuron system and language.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dogs
  • Haplorhini
  • Humans
  • Imitative Behavior / physiology*
  • Learning / physiology
  • Motor Cortex / anatomy & histology
  • Motor Cortex / cytology
  • Motor Cortex / physiology*
  • Nerve Net / cytology
  • Nerve Net / physiology
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • Social Behavior
  • Verbal Behavior / physiology