VOLUME LXXIII | JAN 2023

The mirror mechanism: linking perception and social interaction

Just as a mirror reflects our physical appearance, the mirror mechanism in our brain reflects the connection between perception and social interaction. In a recent study, researchers challenged the conventional view of the mirror mechanism by proposing a new framework. This framework diverges from the traditional perspective in three significant ways. First, it expands beyond the concept of agent-shared representations as the basis for social perception. Second, it draws on evidence from various research fields, not just mirror neuron studies. And third, it marks a departure from the long-standing understanding of the mirror mechanism. This groundbreaking research sheds light on how our brains process and interpret social cues. By uncovering the hidden link between perception and social interaction, this study offers a deeper understanding of human behavior and cognition.

Amir Khan

Amir is a Pakistani-Canadian neuroengineer in Toronto, developing brain-computer interfaces to enhance learning. As a volunteer author, he shares insights on how technology can amplify cognitive abilities, drawing from his diverse South Asian-Canadian perspective.

We thank Beatrice de Gelder [1] for the opportunity to clarify some important points about our recent article in TiCs on the trends in mirror neuron research 30 years after their first description [2]. The mainstream view of the mirror mechanism classically focused on agent-shared representations as a ground for social perception. Based on evidence accumulated over the past few years, even outside the mirror neuron literature, we proposed a new framework that marks a departure from the traditional view in three main ways.
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The mirror mechanism: linking perception and social interaction

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