Around the mid-1990s, a group of researchers at the University of Parma, led by neuroscientist Giacomo Rizzolatti, was studying neurons specialised in controlling the hand movements of macaque monkeys, applying electrodes to the primates' inferior frontal cortex.
Food was used in the experiments: researchers analysed the monkeys' neural responses while they handled bananas.
One day, as a researcher took a banana from a fruit basket to prepare an experiment, they noticed that the monkeys' neurons activated as though the animals themselves were picking up the fruit!
This chance observation was investigated further, leading to the discovery of the famous mirror neurons.
In practice, these neurons in the brain's inferior frontal and parietal regions activate and respond both when we perform an action ourselves and when we watch others perform it.
Their name evokes precisely their ability to "mirror" what they see.
Many people will have watched boxing, tennis or another sport on television (especially one they have played themselves) and involuntarily responded to the athletes' movements! Perfect synchrony is created between action and observation.
In marketing often shows a product in action to project customers into consuming or using it.
For example, when we see an advert showing someone drinking a beverage (as in the Coca-Cola advert pictured), our mirror neurons activate and make us relive that sensation. Adding context, such as succulent, tasty dishes or a hot day, amplifies the effect.
Mirror neurons are an entirely Italian discovery and one of the most important in neuroscience.
Their application in rehabilitation has produced exceptional results, particularly among people who have suffered strokes.
In the following video, Roberto D'Angelo and Francesca Fedeli (founders of the wonderful MirrorAble project) tell the TED audience about their son Mario, who suffered a perinatal stroke early in life that prevented him from controlling the left side of his body.
Thanks to his parents' love and the use of mirror neurons, the child can now lead a normal life.
Mirror neurons are also very important in teaching, education, sport and any situation where we want to create positive modelling systems, because an example is worth more than a thousand words.
Psychology, emotions and empathy
Neuroscience confirms that human beings are naturally endowed with empathy and it does not take much effort: we just need to let our mirror neurons act, perhaps giving them a polish now and then.
The fascinating aspect is the impact this phenomenon can have on human and social psychology. Understanding it well helps us use it positively.
Watch the following video: it shows an experiment on a German underground train.
Admit it! You smiled while watching the video too. That is the effect of mirror neurons :-)
At a psychological level, we could speak of the mirror effect as the ability to reflect our moods onto the people we meet and those around us. In practice, we project our emotions onto others and influence one another.
The saying "smile at life and it will smile back" arises from this phenomenon: if you smile at people, they will be much more receptive to you, and everything will be easier.
I have seen people achieve unimaginable things with a smile (and positive body language), and they were not models!
Unfortunately, the principle also works in reverse: when we are nervous or something is wrong, we transmit those emotions to others, creating a vicious circle that intensifies the negative mood. Notice how argumentative, combative people are usually the ones who look grumpy!
The story of the two dogs captures the mirror effect well:
Two dogs enter the same room at different times.
One comes out wagging its tail; the other comes out growling. A woman observing the scene is so curious that she enters the room to discover what made one dog happy and the other so angry. To her great surprise, the room is full of mirrors. The happy dog had found a hundred happy dogs looking at it, while the angry dog had seen only angry dogs growling back.
What you see in the world around you is a reflection of who you are. Every person is a mirror.
These principles also matter professionally when managing people: a manager cannot be anxious or negative!
Ultimately, if we get out of bed in the morning and our health is fine, there is no reason not to put on a big smile, go out and enjoy all life's wonders! Too optimistic? Try it and see.