The mirror neuron system is believed to play a role in understanding the actions and intentions of others by mirroring their movements in our own brains. It helps in empathy, imitation, and social cognition, and is thought to contribute to our ability to learn new skills by observing and imitating others.

Mirror neuron activity

A mirror neuron is a type of neuron found in the brain that fires (i.e. activates) under two conditions: if an animal/person does a certain action (for example, wipe its face) or if the animal/person sees another animal/person do that action. These are individual neurons (or groups) that fire for a specific action, whether the action is seen or done. This is considered significant in social psychology, as it may (partially) neurologically explain why people are prone to imitate simple behaviors.

Mirror neurons are a type of neuron that fires both when an individual performs an action and when they observe someone else perform the same action. These neurons are thought to play a role in understanding and mimicking the actions and intentions of others, contributing to empathy and social cognition.

The Inter-neuron (also known as the local circuit neuron, relay neuron or the association neuron) is the neuron which connects the afferent and the efferent neurons in the neural pathways.