Neurology and empathy

Has anyone read the research regarding mirror neurons and empathy and theory regarding the corresponding ties between them? I am a very empathic person, and I cannot explain it more than to say when I see someone cut or hurt and see their reactions it is almost like I feel it with them, and I have been annoyed many times in my life because people think I am some kind of mind reader when I predict what some one is going to do. For me that is the easiest thing in the world, I just have to look at them and I can feel it. (I cannot explain it really but that is the best I can do) To me this theory would explain a lot about what many people consider empathic, people who had a higher than average amount of mirror neurons would feel more of the emotions of their others as if they were there own. I linked a few articles about it below, and I am quite curious to see what other’s thoughts about it are.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050223163142.htm

http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/ramachandran06/ramachandran06_index.html

I am an Aspie which means I am literally incapable of feeling affective empathy (although I am capable of cognitive empathy, aka: theory of mind), or sympathy for that matter.

Mirror neuron activity

"One study found that, relative to typically developing children, high-functioning children with autism showed reduced mirror neuron activity in the brain's inferior frontal gyrus (pars opercularis) while imitating and observing emotional expressions. The authors suggested that their study supports the hypothesis that a dysfunctional mirror neuron system may underlie the social deficits observed in autism. However, this finding has not been replicated by other fMRI studies."


As a future neuroscientist (I am going to major in Behavioral Neuroscience and minor in Cognitive Psychology) and Aspie, I am VERY intrigued by exactly why those of us on the autism spectrum are not capable of feeling affective empathy.

Originally Posted by Mother Theresa

As a future neuroscientist (I am going to major in Behavioral Neuroscience and minor in Cognitive Psychology) and Aspie, I am VERY intrigued by exactly why those of us on the autism spectrum are not capable of feeling affective empathy.

Because of brain damage... ?

Originally Posted by Mikbert

Because of brain damage... ?

No, not brain damage...because of developmental problems but the exact cause of autism is still unknown.

I think some people are just more receptive to the smallest forms of non-verbal communication than others. Everyone can "predict" the actions of others if the tells are strong enough.

Originally Posted by Bear

I think some people are just more receptive to the smallest forms of non-verbal communication than others. Everyone can "predict" the actions of others if the tells are strong enough.

I thought empathy was about "putting yourself in someone else's shoes" to know how they feel.

Or are we talking about different things?

Originally Posted by Mikbert

I thought empathy was about "putting yourself in someone else's shoes" to know how they feel.

Or are we talking about different things?

Originally Posted by red riding hood

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] I have been annoyed many times in my life because people think I am some kind of mind reader when I predict what some one is going to do. For me that is the easiest thing in the world, I just have to look at them and I can feel it. (I cannot explain it really but that is the best I can do)

If you're asking me, she's suggesting they are linked. I think they are two different concepts.

Originally Posted by Bear

If you're asking me, she's suggesting they are linked. I think they are two different concepts.

I whole-heartedly agree with you.

I think the "prediction" of people's upcoming actions/intents is based on the old layers of the brain in the limbic system.
Limbic system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I think women in general tend to be better able to read these small cues in a person's behavior, because this brain system ties into "fight or flight" responses. These responses meant life or death in an age where there was no law... and the only protection you had for you and/or your kids was either other people, or your ability to assess a person to be a threat with enough warning to get away.

I would guess the only real bearing personality type has on this sort of thing would be the more compliant/meek you are... the more sensitive you'd need to be to those limbic impulses. Sharks probably don't worry too much about a sardine looking hungry or pissed off.