Cognition & Development 3. Development of social cognition

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Biological explanations of social Biological explanations of social cognition cognition - Mirror neurons

Genetic theories Genetic theories Kanner (1943) originally suggested that autism had a genetic component. Rutter (1999) also proposes that as the rate of autism in siblings of children with autism was 6% (much higher than the national average) it is clear that there is a substantial familial clustering of autism. Although this could reflect shared environmental factors, a percentage as high as this points to the likelihood of a family-related, genetic component. Kanner (1943) originally suggested that autism had a genetic component. Rutter (1999) also proposes that as the rate of autism in siblings of children with autism was 6% (much higher than the national average) it is clear that there is a substantial familial clustering of autism. Although this could reflect shared environmental factors, a percentage as high as this points to the likelihood of a family-related, genetic component.

Twin studies Concordance rates for MZ (Monozygotic- genetically identical) twins is far higher than for DZ (Dizygotic non-identical) twins. So if one member of a twin is autistic, the probability that the other will also be autistic depends on whether they do share all their genes (MZ’s) or only half their genes (DZ’s). Rutter (1999) suggests that several genes are involved, working in combination. Concordance rates for MZ (Monozygotic- genetically identical) twins is far higher than for DZ (Dizygotic non-identical) twins. So if one member of a twin is autistic, the probability that the other will also be autistic depends on whether they do share all their genes (MZ’s) or only half their genes (DZ’s). Rutter (1999) suggests that several genes are involved, working in combination.

However… The prospect of finding autism in one member of a MZ pair is very remote (Mitchell, 1997). If autism is not caused solely by genetic factors then there must be an environmental component. The prospect of finding autism in one member of a MZ pair is very remote (Mitchell, 1997). If autism is not caused solely by genetic factors then there must be an environmental component. Piven & Folstein (1994) found that 30% of parents with an autistic child show at least some autistic mannerisms. Piven & Folstein (1994) found that 30% of parents with an autistic child show at least some autistic mannerisms.

Activity-Copying behaviour Psychology video camera and your mobile phone camera Copying Behaviour... “Naturalistic Observation” In pairs go out into the college and use your mobile phone camera/college flip-cameras to video/photograph examples of people displaying ‘copying behaviour’, i.e. copying each other.. It may be subtle or really obvious, e.g. yawning, crossing arms, queuing, etc. Make sure you get consent before bringing back the footage (i.e. ask the participants!) When collected return to the classroom and show them to the These will then be uploaded and shown to the class next lesson..

“Mirror Neuron System” Research shows that dysfunction of the Biological ‘mirror neuron system’ in humans brain might be a core deficit in autism, the socially isolating condition. Here, we review the role of this system in social cognition.. Research shows that dysfunction of the Biological ‘mirror neuron system’ in humans brain might be a core deficit in autism, the socially isolating condition. Here, we review the role of this system in social cognition..

Activity: in groups- discuss why you think you yawn/copy other people’s actions... Ever yawn when seeing somebody else yawn? Ever in line at a fast food restaurant and find yourself desiring and ordering the same sandwich the person in front of you orders? Ever yawn when seeing somebody else yawn? Ever in line at a fast food restaurant and find yourself desiring and ordering the same sandwich the person in front of you orders?

Watch video clip explaining connection between Mirror neuron system & autism clip 1clip 1 intro clip 1 clip2 clip2 part 1 clip2 clip 3clip 3 part 2 clip 3

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Maybe there's a good reason these are called "monkey see, monkey do" actions. Maybe there's a good reason these are called "monkey see, monkey do" actions. Rizzollati (1996) studied macaque monkeys and discovered a curious cluster of cells in the ventral pre-motor area of the brain's frontal lobes (an area part of the larger pre-motor cortex-see diagram) while probing their brains. Rizzollati (1996) studied macaque monkeys and discovered a curious cluster of cells in the ventral pre-motor area of the brain's frontal lobes (an area part of the larger pre-motor cortex-see diagram) while probing their brains.

This area of the brain is primarily linked to planning and initiating movements. These odd brain cells, which seemed at first to only be tied to performing actions or watching others perform the same actions, for brain scans showed that this cell cluster fired during these events. This area of the brain is primarily linked to planning and initiating movements. These odd brain cells, which seemed at first to only be tied to performing actions or watching others perform the same actions, for brain scans showed that this cell cluster fired during these events. Mirror neuron cells

The cells seemed to reflect the actions in the other monkeys almost like a mirror reflects one's image. They reacted the exact same way when the monkey grabbed a peanut or watched somebody else grab a peanut. It even became easy to predict which specific neurons would fire based on which specific activity the monkey was observing and processing. Because of this reflective property, Rizzollati (1996) dubbed this cluster of cells "mirror neurons." The cells seemed to reflect the actions in the other monkeys almost like a mirror reflects one's image. They reacted the exact same way when the monkey grabbed a peanut or watched somebody else grab a peanut. It even became easy to predict which specific neurons would fire based on which specific activity the monkey was observing and processing. Because of this reflective property, Rizzollati (1996) dubbed this cluster of cells "mirror neurons."

Excited by this newly discovered cluster of cells research (e.g. Ramachandran et al, 1999) has attempted to test the existence of mirror neurons in humans. They discovered that not only did the mirror neurons reflect actions, they were found to mirror emotions and sensations, which would give humans the ability to have empathy for others (see diagram)… Excited by this newly discovered cluster of cells research (e.g. Ramachandran et al, 1999) has attempted to test the existence of mirror neurons in humans. They discovered that not only did the mirror neurons reflect actions, they were found to mirror emotions and sensations, which would give humans the ability to have empathy for others (see diagram)…

Role of ‘Mirror Neuron System’ In Humans Mirror neurons Observation of behaviour (e.g. emotions) of other people Social organisation of behaviour (e.g. empathy) Copy behaviour

"Mirror neurons suggest that we pretend to be in another person's mental shoes," said Lacoboni (1997), "In fact, with mirror neurons we do not have to pretend, we practically are in another person's mind." "Mirror neurons suggest that we pretend to be in another person's mental shoes," said Lacoboni (1997), "In fact, with mirror neurons we do not have to pretend, we practically are in another person's mind." Since their discovery, research has linked mirror neurons to mental disorders like autism. Since autistic people have difficulty displaying empathy for and communication with-others around them, perhaps these brain cells are malfunctioning in these individuals. Since their discovery, research has linked mirror neurons to mental disorders like autism. Since autistic people have difficulty displaying empathy for and communication with-others around them, perhaps these brain cells are malfunctioning in these individuals.

‘ Mirror Neuron System’ Hypothesis and Autism Evaluation Support Ramachandran et al (2000) used an electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure children's brain waves. Ramachandran et al (2000) used an electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure children's brain waves. An EEG component called the MU wave is blocked anytime a person makes a voluntary muscle movement, such as opening and closing one's hands. The MU wave is also blocked when a person watches someone else perform the same action. The researchers watched for MU-wave suppression to monitor mirror neuron activity. An EEG component called the MU wave is blocked anytime a person makes a voluntary muscle movement, such as opening and closing one's hands. The MU wave is also blocked when a person watches someone else perform the same action. The researchers watched for MU-wave suppression to monitor mirror neuron activity.

Research Participants -Their first subject for their experiments was a high-functioning child with autism without severe cognitive impairments. Participants -Their first subject for their experiments was a high-functioning child with autism without severe cognitive impairments. Results - The EEG showed that the child had an observable MU wave that was suppressed when he made a simple, voluntary movement, just as in normal children. But when the child watched someone else perform the action, the MU wave was not suppressed. Results - The EEG showed that the child had an observable MU wave that was suppressed when he made a simple, voluntary movement, just as in normal children. But when the child watched someone else perform the action, the MU wave was not suppressed. Conclusion - The researchers concluded that the child's motor command system was intact but that his mirror neuron system was deficient. Conclusion - The researchers concluded that the child's motor command system was intact but that his mirror neuron system was deficient.

The researchers later conducted a more systematic series of experiments in 10 high- functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorder and 10 age- and gender-matched control subjects. They saw the expected suppression of MU waves when the control subjects moved their hands and watched videos of a moving hand, but the EEGs of the subjects with autism showed MU suppression only when they moved their own hands. These findings indicate that people with autism are likely to have dysfunctional mirror neuron systems. The researchers later conducted a more systematic series of experiments in 10 high- functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorder and 10 age- and gender-matched control subjects. They saw the expected suppression of MU waves when the control subjects moved their hands and watched videos of a moving hand, but the EEGs of the subjects with autism showed MU suppression only when they moved their own hands. These findings indicate that people with autism are likely to have dysfunctional mirror neuron systems.

However… Criticism Pineda (2001) repeated the studies with 28 children, 7 to 17 years old, half of whom had autism, the other half were typically developing children. In the children with autism, the MU rhythms were suppressed during both tasks. This may mean that the mirror neuron system is fully functional but may be disengaged in some activities. Suggested reasons for this include; Autistics have developed another coping strategy for understanding others.. ….also….

Oberman (2000) also found that.. Familiarity is the real issue …EEG recordings provided the first evidence of normal mirror activity in children with autism: People familiar to children with autism may activate mirror neuron areas of the brain in normal patterns when unfamiliar people do not.

Their research… Procedure -Six videos were shown to a group of 26 boys, 8 to 12 years old; half had autism. Three videos showed images representing varying degrees of social interaction: two bouncing balls (the baseline measurement), three people tossing a ball to themselves, and three people throwing the ball to each other and off the screen to the viewer. Procedure -Six videos were shown to a group of 26 boys, 8 to 12 years old; half had autism. Three videos showed images representing varying degrees of social interaction: two bouncing balls (the baseline measurement), three people tossing a ball to themselves, and three people throwing the ball to each other and off the screen to the viewer. The other set of videos showed people with varying degrees of familiarity to the subjects: strangers opening and closing their hand, family members making the same hand movement, and the subjects themselves doing the same. The other set of videos showed people with varying degrees of familiarity to the subjects: strangers opening and closing their hand, family members making the same hand movement, and the subjects themselves doing the same. Findings - EEG recordings showed that MU activity was suppressed most when subjects watched videos of themselves, indicating the greatest mirror neuron activity. For both groups, the measurements showed a slightly lower level of suppression when subjects watched familiar people in the video and the least when watching strangers. This indicates that normal mirror neuron activity was evoked when children with autism watched family members, but not strangers. Findings - EEG recordings showed that MU activity was suppressed most when subjects watched videos of themselves, indicating the greatest mirror neuron activity. For both groups, the measurements showed a slightly lower level of suppression when subjects watched familiar people in the video and the least when watching strangers. This indicates that normal mirror neuron activity was evoked when children with autism watched family members, but not strangers.

Summary… “This normal mirror neuron activity in autistic children indicates that mirror system dysfunction reflects an impairment in identifying with and assigning personal significance to unfamiliar people and things” (Oberman, 2001). “This normal mirror neuron activity in autistic children indicates that mirror system dysfunction reflects an impairment in identifying with and assigning personal significance to unfamiliar people and things” (Oberman, 2001).

Summary “ The connection between mirror neuron dysfunction and autism remains speculative and it is unlikely that mirror neurons are related to many of the important characteristics of autism” (Dinstein, 2008).

Sample exam questions “Critically consider psychological research into the development of the child’s sense of self, including theory of mind (Baron-Cohen)” “Critically consider psychological research into the development of the child’s sense of self, including theory of mind (Baron-Cohen)” (8+16 marks) (8+16 marks)

“Critically consider psychological research into the role of the mirror neuron system” ( marks) ( marks)

Mirror neuron plan Mirror neuron planA01 Brief description of biological explanation of autism (Kanner) Brief description of biological explanation of autism (Kanner) Mirror neuron system – Rizzollati monkeys Mirror neuron system – Rizzollati monkeys Link to humans-Ramahandran – Link to humans-Ramahandran –Support Ramahandran mu wave (2000) study Ramahandran mu wave (2000) studyCriticism Pineda/Oberman, etc.. Pineda/Oberman, etc.. Summary – really about familiarity Summary – really about familiarity

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