Eight problems for the mirror neuron theory of action understanding in monkeys and humans
TL;DR: There is no evidence from monkey data that directly tests this theory that mirror neurons provide the basis of action understanding, and evidence from humans makes a strong case against the position.
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Abstract: The discovery of mirror neurons in macaque frontal cortex has sparked a resurgence of interest in motor/embodied theories of cognition. This critical review examines the evidence in support of one of these theories, namely, that mirror neurons provide the basis of action understanding. It is argued that there is no evidence from monkey data that directly tests this theory, and evidence from humans makes a strong case against the position.
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TL;DR: A neurophysiological mechanism appears to play a fundamental role in both action understanding and imitation, and those properties specific to the human mirror-neuron system that might explain the human capacity to learn by imitation are stressed.
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Action recognition in the premotor cortex
TL;DR: It is proposed that mirror neurons form a system for matching observation and execution of motor actions, similar to that of mirror neurons exists in humans and could be involved in recognition of actions as well as phonetic gestures.