The Neuroscience of Empathy and Mirror Neurons
Neuroscientists believe that the areas of the brain typically activated by our own emotions are also active when we observe another individual experiencing feelings or sensations.
Evidence suggests that mirror neurons are strongly associated with human empathy. And that’s important. After all, empathy enables us to put ourselves in another’s place (Penagos-Corzo et al., 2022).
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“Recent research suggests that we may understand the thoughts, emotions, and sensations of others by simulating them in ourselves as if we were experiencing similar mental states, emotions, or sensations” (Rasmussen & Bliss, 2014, p. 337).
When we are experiencing pain, the anterior cingulate cortex is active. We also see activation in the same region when we observe someone else receiving a painful experience (Rasmussen & Bliss, 2014).
Such mirror mechanisms seem equally active when we judge others’ actions and when we process their experiences, sensations, and emotions.
While observing such emotional information, the mirror neuron system makes it possible to generate a brain state that matches that of the person being observed, providing an automatic share of their experience (Penagos-Corzo et al., 2022).
6+ Fascinating Research Findings and Examples
Some early claims for the mirror neuron system may be exaggerated, as it is unlikely that a single brain mechanism accounts for all aspects of action understanding (Eysenck & Keane, 2015).
However, neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, and psychologists recognize that mirror neurons play an essential part in the process and, therefore, remain keen to better understand their impact and influence on human learning and empathy (Penagos-Corzo et al., 2022).
Mirror neurons and autism
Research has investigated whether “dysfunctional simulation mechanisms may underlie the social and communicative deficits seen in individuals with autism spectrum disorders” (Oberman & Ramachandran, 2007, p. 310).
Analysis of preliminary findings left it unclear whether mirror neurons were a significant factor in the behavioral and neurological differences seen in those with autism (Oberman & Ramachandran, 2007).
An analysis of more recent research findings offers two suggestions (Khalil et al., 2018).
- There is an interaction between the mirror neuron system, action perception, empathy, and imitative behavior that can impact social decision-making.
- Mirror neurons may serve as a first layer in understanding and imitating behavior and may be impaired in those with an autism spectrum disorder.
While some researchers propose that future research into mirror neurons will clarify how “pharmacological, neurostimulation, or psychotherapeutic treatment approaches” can “support tailored psychiatric interventions” (Khalil et al., 2018, p. 675) in clients with autism spectrum disorders, others remain doubtful whether any clear connection will be forthcoming (Heyes & Catmur, 2021).
Trauma and mirror neurons
Mirror neurons appear to be a vital element of our cognition and social interaction, but how they are involved in processing and reliving traumatic experiences remains unclear (Penagos-Corzo et al., 2022; Rasmussen & Bliss, 2014).
- Gaensbauer (2011) investigated whether mirror neurons could be involved in young children’s post-traumatic reenactment behaviors.
While little data was available at the time, the study concluded that mirror neurons might mediate deeply embedded patterns of reenactment behavior that follow trauma (Gaensbauer, 2011).
- Since then, researchers have suggested that mirror neurons play a part in how and why therapists develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder similar to those of their clients.
It appears that mental health professionals are, very literally, experiencing some of the same emotions as their clients (Rasmussen & Bliss, 2014).
The exact function of mirror neurons in trauma remains unclear and offers new avenues for research into the brain’s mechanisms engaged in the adverse effects of traumatic events (Penagos-Corzo et al., 2022).
The role of mirror neurons in learning
“Observing and visualizing support learning because the brain automatically responds to these types of stimulation” (Woolfolk, 2021, p. 328).
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While the exact influence of mirror neurons on learning remains unclear, many researchers suggest they play an essential role in associative learning, making connections between stimuli and responses, and forming associations that influence behavior (Cook et al., 2014; Heyes & Catmur, 2021).
- Cook et al. (2014) suggest mirror neurons serve as generalized processes in associative learning rather than having a specific evolutionary purpose or adaptive function.
- Heyes and Catmur (2021) agree that mirror neurons are domain-general but also highlight the importance of the nature (or subject) of learning.
For example, dancers observing other dancers experience more activity in associated mirror neurons than non-dancers.
Having previously experienced the same or similar dance moves as the individual observed strengthens the learning effect in the observer (Heyes & Catmur, 2021).
Neuroscience studies suggest that mirror neurons likely contribute to complex control systems involved in learning rather than acting alone (Heyes & Catmur, 2021).
Emotion Theories and Mirror Neurons
To thrive as humans in a social world, we must be capable of the following (Ferrari & Coudé, 2018):
- Understanding what others are doing within our group
- Empathizing with how they feel
- Grasping their intentions
Such emotional and cognitive awareness is based on complex, multidimensional action-perception mechanisms that appear widespread among primates.
As such, many neuroscience researchers believe that a psychobiological theoretical comprehension of mirror neurons can account for affective empathy, involving emotional understanding and resonance (Ferrari & Coudé, 2018).
According to neurobiological research into emotional theory, mirror neurons allow us to process facial expressions and interactions between people. Their function is to enable us to “perceive and understand others’ feelings without words” (Trieu et al., 2019, p. 25).
Such theory, backed up by research, suggests this is particularly apparent in the development of empathy in children.
It means that because we share the same underlying neural structures and activations, we can be emotionally involved in the experiences of others. Then hormones such as oxytocin kick in to regulate (or even enhance) these empathic processes (Trieu et al., 2019).
3 Books on Mirror Neurons and the Brain
With new techniques and technology, our understanding of the human brain continues to evolve. Identifying the vital elements involved in learning and connecting with others offers deep insights into how we function as social beings.
1. New Frontiers in Mirror Neuron Research – Pier Francesco Ferrari and Giacomo Rizzolatti
The discovery of mirror neurons has undoubtedly increased and challenged our understanding of the human brain and our capacity to learn and empathize.
This exciting book highlights the importance of the plasticity and development of the mirror neuron system and its potential to improve the therapeutic process and promote neurorehabilitation.
Find the book on Amazon.
2. Mirroring Brains: How We Understand Others From the Inside – Giacomo Rizzolatti and Corrado Sinigaglia
In this intriguing book, three of the foremost researchers into mirror neurons, Giacomo Rizzolatti, Corrado Sinigaglia, and Frances Andersen, offer new insights into their properties and functions.
An essential read for neuroscientists, psychologists, cognitive scientists, and sociologists, the text provides a deeper appreciation for how we relate to one another, along with digging into the concept of “understanding from the inside.”
Find the book on Amazon.
3. Mirrors in the Brain: How Our Minds Share Actions, Emotions, and Experience – Giacomo Rizzolatti and Corrado Sinigaglia
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Written by the same authors, this earlier book is equally vital. Learn how Rizzolatti and colleagues at the University of Parma discovered the unexpected properties of a previously unknown set of brain cells: mirror neurons.
Join the authors to share in the excitement of one of the most groundbreaking advances in neuroscience of the past 50 years.
Find the book on Amazon.
We also recommend this list of 15 Must-Read Empathy Books.
Resources From PositivePsychology.com
We have many resources available for therapists, coaches, and educators to help their clients and students with their learning and empathy, engaging their mirror neuron systems.
Our free resources include:
- What Is Empathy? Designed for children, this valuable worksheet helps children practice and develop their empathy skills by considering their own and others’ emotions.
- Listening Accurately Emotional intelligence and empathy require excellent listening skills. This practical worksheet encourages clients to “walk in the other person’s shoes,” fact-check interpretations, give full attention, and validate feelings.
- Fostering Empathy Reflectively Use this worksheet with clients to improve their understanding of their own and others’ emotions, boosting their empathy.
More extensive versions of the following tools are available with a subscription to the Positive Psychology Toolkit©, but they are described briefly below.
- The Wheel of Awareness
The Wheel of Awareness helps clients increase awareness of themselves and others by choosing what they focus on.
Ask the client to take deep, slow, mindful breaths while bringing to mind the image of a wheel and visualizing moving from one quadrant to the next, as follows:
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- Step one: We find the five senses in the first quadrant. Reflect on what you hear, feel, smell, and taste, and your sense of touch.
- Step two: In the next quadrant, pay attention to your inner bodily sensations, mentally scanning from head to toe.
- Step three: Visiting the third quadrant, turn your attention to your emotions, thoughts, memories, beliefs, hopes, etc. Do they come and go, or are they one long stream of consciousness?
- Step four: Moving to the final quadrant, consider your connection to others, expanding outward: your family, friends, colleagues, city, country, and the whole world.
- Practicing Empathic Listening Empathy is a skill, and as such, it can be improved with practice, potentially deepening the empathic relationship between client and therapist.
Place participants (clients or mental health professionals) in pairs to practice both talking and listening.
Taking turns, the speaker talks for 90 seconds about what is important to their lives right now.
Ask the listener to engage in the following two skills to improve their empathy:
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- Step one: Reflect back feelings you have heard, labeling them.
For example:
“You feel upset.” “You are worried.”
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- Step two: Practice paraphrasing what the other person has said.
Use their words where possible and capture their core content and emotions to confirm your active listening, show they are heard, and encourage deeper exploration and engagement.
Ask each participant what it was like to listen and offer empathic feedback, and what it was like to talk and be heard, knowing the other was paying close attention.
If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others enhance their wellbeing, check out this signature collection of 17 validated positive psychology tools for practitioners. Use them to help others flourish and thrive.
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