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Neuroscience & Health

Mirror Neuron

Mirror Neuron

Mirror neurons are brain cells that activate when you observe someone else's action, just as if you were doing it yourself.

Details

Mirror neurons are brain cells that fire when you observe another person's action, as though you yourself are performing that action.

They are believed to play an important role in empathy, imitative learning, and understanding the intentions of others.

The way babies mimic their parents' facial expressions to learn is also thought to be connected to mirror neurons.

They may form the neurological basis for naturally feeling the emotions of others — what we call empathy.

That said, research into the exact role of mirror neurons is still ongoing.

Mindy says: If you've ever winced watching someone get hurt, that's your mirror neurons at work — you're not just observing, you're experiencing a reflection of their pain.

💡 Real-Life Example

When someone yawns and you find yourself yawning too, or when you feel a pang of pain watching a character suffer in a movie — these are experiences linked to mirror neurons.

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This content is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical diagnosis.

Mirror Neuron (Mirror Neuron) | 마음스캔 심리학 용어사전