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The Myth of Mirror Neurons: The Real Neuroscience of Communication and Cognition,Used
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An essential reconsideration of one of the most farreaching theories in modern neuroscience and psychology. In 1992, a group of neuroscientists from Parma, Italy, reported a new class of brain cells discovered in the motor cortex of the macaque monkey. These cells, later dubbed mirror neurons, responded equally well during the monkeys own motor actions, such as grabbing an object, and while the monkey watched someone else perform similar motor actions. Researchers speculated that the neurons allowed the monkey to understand others by simulating their actions in its own brain.Mirror neurons soon jumped species and took human neuroscience and psychology by storm. In the late 1990s theorists showed how the cells provided an elegantly simple new way to explain the evolution of language, the development of human empathy, and the neural foundation of autism. In the years that followed, a stream of scientific studies implicated mirror neurons in everything from schizophrenia and drug abuse to sexual orientation and contagious yawning.In The Myth of Mirror Neurons, neuroscientist Gregory Hickok reexamines the mirror neuron story and finds that it is built on a tenuous foundationa pair of codependent assumptions about mirror neuron activity and human understanding. Drawing on a broad range of observations from work on animal behavior, modern neuroimaging, neurological disorders, and more, Hickok argues that the foundational assumptions fall flat in light of the facts. He then explores alternative explanations of mirror neuron function while illuminating crucial questions about human cognition and brain function: Why do humans imitate so prodigiously? How different are the left and right hemispheres of the brain? Why do we have two visual systems? Do we need to be able to talk to understand speech? Whats going wrong in autism? Can humans read minds?The Myth of Mirror Neurons not only delivers an instructive tale about the course of scientific progressfrom discovery to theory to revisionbut also provides deep insights into the organization and function of the human brain and the nature of communication and cognition. 7 illustrations
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- Q: What is the main topic of 'The Myth of Mirror Neurons'? A: 'The Myth of Mirror Neurons' by Gregory Hickok focuses on the theory of mirror neurons and critiques its implications in neuroscience and psychology, particularly regarding communication and cognition.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'The Myth of Mirror Neurons' is Gregory Hickok, a neuroscientist known for his research in the field of cognitive neuroscience.
- Q: What are mirror neurons and why are they significant? A: Mirror neurons are brain cells that activate both when an individual performs an action and when they observe someone else performing that action. They are significant because they have been proposed to play a role in understanding others' actions, empathy, and even language development.
- Q: What key arguments does Hickok present in this book? A: Hickok argues that the foundational assumptions about mirror neurons are flawed and offers alternative explanations for their function, while addressing broader questions about human cognition and brain activity.
- Q: How does this book contribute to the understanding of autism? A: In 'The Myth of Mirror Neurons', Hickok discusses the implications of mirror neuron theory for understanding autism, questioning whether the traditional view linking mirror neurons to autism is justified.
- Q: What kind of illustrations are included in the book? A: The book contains 7 illustrations that help clarify concepts related to mirror neurons and their role in communication and cognition.
- Q: Is 'The Myth of Mirror Neurons' suitable for general readers? A: Yes, while it is based on scientific research, Hickok presents the material in a way that is accessible to general readers interested in neuroscience and psychology.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book has 304 pages, providing a comprehensive examination of the mirror neuron theory.
- Q: When was 'The Myth of Mirror Neurons' published? A: The book was published on August 18, 2014.
- Q: What format is the book available in? A: 'The Myth of Mirror Neurons' is available in hardcover format, offering durability and a quality reading experience.