Mirror cell is a type of neuron that is found in the visual cortex of the brain. It is a type of specialized neuron that has the ability to respond to visual stimuli. Mirror cells have been found to play an important role in the development of visual skills such as object recognition, navigation, and eye-hand coordination.
Studies have shown that mirror cells are activated when an animal or human observes another animal or human performing an action. This activation is thought to be a result of the mirror neurons being able to recognize the action in the observer’s visual field and mirror the action. This ability to recognize and mirror actions has been hypothesized to be a key component of the development of social skills.
One of the primary functions of mirror cells is to facilitate the development of motor skills. It is believed that by mirroring the actions of another, the brain can gain a better understanding of the action and develop a better motor skill. This is thought to be especially important for the development of skills such as hand-eye coordination and object recognition.
Research has also suggested that mirror cells may be involved in the development of language. It has been hypothesized that mirror neurons may be able to recognize different words and phrases in the observer’s visual field and mirror the words back to the speaker. This could help the speaker better understand the words spoken by the observer.
Overall, mirror cells are an important type of neuron found in the visual cortex of the brain. They are thought to play an important role in the development of motor skills, object recognition, hand-eye coordination, and language skills.
References
Dalrymple-Alford, E., & Bishop, D. V. (2013). The role of mirror neurons in motor learning. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 17(12), 656-664. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2013.09.005
Gallese, V., & Goldman, A. (1998). Mirror neurons and the simulation theory of mind-reading. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 2(12), 493-501. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1364-6613(98)01262-5
Rizzolatti, G., & Craighero, L. (2004). The mirror-neuron system. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 27(1), 169-192. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.neuro.27.070203.144230