The self and social cognition: the role of cortical midline structures and mirror neurons
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that there are at least two large-scale neural networks that represent the self and others. Whereas frontoparietal mirror-neuron areas provide the basis for bridging the gap between the physical self and others through motor-simulation mechanisms, cortical midline structures engage in processing information about the self and others in more abstract, evaluative terms. This framework provides a basis for reconciling findings from two separate but related lines of research: self-related processing and social cognition. The neural systems of midline structures and mirror neurons show that self and other are two sides of the same coin, whether their physical interactions or their most internal mental processes are examined.
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Reviews of the neuroimaging literature suggest that two distinct neural networks are shared by self-knowing and knowing others.
“Reviews of the neuroimaging literature suggest that two distinct neural networks are shared by self-knowing and knowing others”
From A developmental, mentalization-based approach to the understanding and treatment of borderline personality disorder (2009) · cites this paper as Uddin et al., 2007
Neuroimaging studies have consistently supported the assumption that envisioning the mind of another is underpinned by the same brain systems as identifying one's own thoughts and feelings.
“Neuroimaging studies have consistently supported the assumption that envisioning the mind of another is underpinned by the same brain systems as identify one's own thoughts and feelings”
From A developmental, mentalization-based approach to the understanding and treatment of borderline personality disorder (2009) · cites this paper as Uddin et al., 2007
A second, cortical midline system consisting of the mPFC, ACC, and the temporal parietal junction in the LPAC appears to play a central role in differentiating self from others.
“A second, cortical midline system that consists of the mPFC, ACC, and the temporal parietal junction in the LPAC (Lieberman, 2007; Uddin et al., 2007), appears to play a central role in this process.”
From A developmental, mentalization-based approach to the understanding and treatment of borderline personality disorder (2009) · cites this paper as Uddin et al., 2007
This cortical midline system is less bodily based, processes information about the self and others in more abstract and symbolic ways, and appears to be mainly shaped across development by interpersonal relationships.
“This system is less bodily based, and processes information about the self and others in more abstract and symbolic ways (Frith, 2007; Uddin et al., 2007). Importantly, unlike the frontoparietal system, it appears to be mainly shaped across development by interpersonal relationships.”
From A developmental, mentalization-based approach to the understanding and treatment of borderline personality disorder (2009) · cites this paper as Uddin et al., 2007
The prefrontal cortex seems to be more involved in processing long-term traits of self and others, and interpersonal knowledge on norms and scripts.
“Instead, the prefrontal cortex seems to be more involved in the processing of longterm traits of self and others, and interpersonal knowledge on norms and scripts [Keysers and Gazzola, 2007; Uddin et al., 2007].”
From Social cognition and the brain: A meta-analysis (2009) · cites this paper as Uddin et al., 2007
Recent theories of social cognition suggest that cortical areas related to MSA and mirror neuron system structures related to SRs should both be engaged when perceivers make inferences about target states.
“Recent theories of social cognition recognize this likelihood and suggest that cortical areas related to MSA and mirror neuron system structures related to SRs should both be engaged when perceivers make inferences about target states (20, 28, 29).”
From The neural bases of empathic accuracy (2009) · cites this paper as [28]
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References 53 · Cited by 704
- Authors
- Uddin, L. Q., Iacoboni, M., Lange, C., & Keenan, J. P.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Montclair State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Keenan, Julian Paul
- Venue
- Trends in Cognitive Sciences
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2007-04
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 153-157
- ISSN
- 1364-6613 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2078195020
- Cited by
- 704
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 66 · 2020: 30 · 2019: 52 · 2018: 41 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 44 · 2015: 42 · 2014: 35 · 2013: 66 · 2012: 33
- FWCI
- 5.84
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Trends in Cognitive Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH63680)
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD035470)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Face Recognition and Perception
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Embodied and Extended Cognition
- Keywords
- self, social cognition, mirror neurons, cortical midline structures, motor simulation, self and other representations, large-scale neural networks, self-referential processing
- MeSH terms
- Cerebral Cortex, Cognition, Ego, Humans, Functional Laterality, Neural Pathways, Neurons, Self Concept, Social Perception
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