mirror neurons

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Has anyone here seen the Scientific American article (Nov.2006) on mirror neurons?

Mirror neurons are neural circuits in higher primates that fire when performing "simple goal-directed actions" such as grasping. The name comes from the fact that these neurons respond exactly the same way when watching others perform the same movements, providing the observer with "a direct internal experience, and therefore understanding, of another person's act, intention or emotion". The article goes on to point out the evolutionary consequences as the "potential survival advantage of a mechanism...that locks basic motor acts onto a larger motor semantic network, permitting the direct and immediate comprehension of others' behavior without complex cognitive machinery." In other words, a primal instinct to get a feel for what other people are up to, and whether we can trust them, by running a mental simulation of their behavior, has become part of human basic survival instincts.

At least that's the theory for NTs. For those of us on the Spectrum, they hypothesize that our mirror neuron circuitry is either damaged or "deficient" because it responds only minimally to observing others' behavior, thus preventing the NT standard of learning by imitation. And this would account for our lack of social skills, empathy, eye contact, physical gracefulness, etc. It also explains why I've strongly preferred non-verbal communication all my life. And yet another reason why blind children need different teaching methods.

I'd be interested in hearing what insights or debates this theory triggers for you.
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Only 8 more days till the annual cultural psychosis is over...

I saw I little cut out portion documentary on this on youtube a few monthes ago. I thought it was very interesting to say the least. Though it seems the only way i would be able to see if I lack the 'mirroring' aspect is to hook me up to an EEG and see if I respond in anyway to an outside stimulation.

At times it seems that I cant grasp what is going on around me and other times when I see someone smiling It makes me smile. Be it because of miror neurons or just seeing people happy makes me happy. I don't know. But like I said before you'll have to hook someone to an EEG to fully understand.

Aha, a good theory, rings true.

Try this on your mother: engage and hold eye contact, lift a spoonful of food to your lips, open your mouth. Your mother will open her mouth. She can't help it. Mirror neurons, now I know it has a name.