Understanding action with the motor system

Abstract

We challenge Cook et al.'s claim about the vagueness of the notion of action understanding in relation with mirror neurons. We show the multidimensional nature of action understanding and provide a definition of motor-based action understanding, shedding new light on the various components of action understanding and on their relationship. Finally, we propose an alternative perspective on the origin of mirror neurons, stressing the necessity to abandon the dichotomy between genetic and associative hypotheses.

The Pertinence of Studying Neuroethology in Nonhuman Primates for Human Behavior in Groups and Organizations

“…However, these views and results are far from achieving unanimity in the scientific community. Indeed, two decades after the mirror neurons landmark discovery in macaques, and while a growing number of studies highlight the role of mirror mechanisms in social cognition (e.g., Gallese, 2013; Gallese & Sinigaglia, 2014; Rizzolatti & Sinigaglia, 2010), and many researchers argue that body-based representations allowed by mirror neurons may play a crucial role in providing fast, immediately shared or aligned dynamic representations for actors engaged in complex social interactions (e.g., Butterfill & Sebanz, 2011; Pickering & Garrod, 2013), mirror neurons’ role is still heavily debated by skeptics whom questioning until their role in mirroring and coding for action goal (e.g., Cook, Bird, Catmur, Press, & Heyes, 2014; Heyes, 2013). There remains indeed a huge resistance against accepting that nonhuman animals have affective experiences, and that these can and should be studied in empirical ways (Panksepp, 2011a).…”

Husserlian empathy and embodied simulation

“…A key aspect of embodied simulation theory is its neural basis in the mirror neuron system (Gallese & Goldman, 1998; Gallese & Sinigaglia, 2011, 2014). A mirror neuron is one that fires during the execution and observation of bodily movement.…”