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mirror neurons

This shows a robot yawning with chimps in the background.

·June 7, 2025·4 min read

Robot Yawns Spark Contagious Yawning in Chimps

Chimpanzees have been observed yawning and lying down after seeing a humanoid android mimic a yawning facial expression, indicating contagious yawning triggered by an artificial agent. This study is the first to show yawn contagion in response to an inanimate model, suggesting that yawns may serve as a rest cue in addition to a social reflex.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 29, 2024·4 min read

What Makes Yawning Contagious?

Yawning is a universal behavior observed in many species, but why do we tend to yawn when someone else does? While the idea that yawning increases brain oxygenation remains unproven, some evidence suggests it may be linked to circadian rhythms and attention regulation.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 17, 2024·4 min read

3-Year-Olds Understand Intentions Through Active Mirror Neurons

A study shows that by age three, children can understand others' intentions using active mirror neurons. This discovery highlights the early development of the "resonance" system, crucial for social cognition. Researchers found that preschoolers' mylohyoid muscle activates when anticipating goal-directed actions. These findings could aid early diagnosis of conditions like autism spectrum disorder.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·April 2, 2023·4 min read

These Neurons Are the Reason You Yawn When You See Others Do It, And They Could Help Us Teach Children More Creatively Too

Mirror neurons are essential for the human species. Not only do they allow us to learn by observation and imitation, but they also are essential for the development of empathy and social behaviors.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 16, 2023·6 min read

Scientists Discover Mirror Neurons in Mice and Find They’re Tuned to Aggression

Study is the first to find mirror neurons in mice and in the hypothalamus, suggesting mirror neurons may have a more primal origin than previously believed.

This shows a rat covering its face with its paws

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 11, 2019·4 min read

I feel you: Emotional mirror neurons found in the rat

Study reports the anterior cingulate cortex of rats contain mirror neurons that respond to pain experienced by and observations of others.

This shows two heads next to one another and the word Empathy

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 8, 2019·4 min read

Are you with me? New model explains origins of empathy

A new model sheds light on the evolutionary origins of empathy and other associated phenomena. The model explains observed patterns of emotional cognition between social group members.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 25, 2019·3 min read

Eye Contact Prepares Brains for Social Interaction

A new neuroimaging study reveals real time eye contact is a basis for effective social communication. The study found eye contact between two people simultaneously activated the same areas of each person's brain.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·March 29, 2018·4 min read

Monkeys’ Brain Synchronize as They Collaborate to Perform a Motor Task

A new study reports when a pair of monkeys interact during a social task, their brains show episodes of high synchronization.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·January 5, 2018·5 min read

Mirror Neuron Activity Predicts People’s Decision Making in Moral Dilemmas

UCLA researchers investigated how the brain responds when people watch other experience painful events. The study reports neural responses predict whether people will be inclined to avoid causing harm to others when faced with moral dilemmas.