The Magic of Mirror Neurons: Understanding Learning Through Observation
The Magic of Mirror Neurons: Understanding Learning Through Observation "We do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience." - John Dewey The discovery of mirror neurons by Italian neuroscientists Giacomo Rizzolatti and his team in the early 1990s revolutionized our understanding of learning and empathy. These neurons, which fire both when we perform an action and when we observe someone else performing the same action, offer profound insights into observational learning and social interactions. The Science Behind Mirror Neurons Mirror neurons are primarily located in the premotor cortex and the inferior parietal lobule of the brain. When an individual observes an action, their mirror neurons activate as if they were performing the action themselves. This mirroring process enables individuals to understand and internalize the actions, emotions, and intentions of others, essentially allowing them to learn by observation. A study conducted by UCLA demo...