Associative sequence learning: the role of experience in the development of imitation and the mirror system
Open accessAbstract
A core requirement for imitation is a capacity to solve the correspondence problem ; to map observed onto executed actions, even when observation and execution yield sensory inputs in different modalities and coordinate frames. Until recently, it was assumed that the human capacity to solve the correspondence problem is innate. However, it is now becoming apparent that, as predicted by the associative sequence learning model, experience, and especially sensorimotor experience, plays a critical role in the development of imitation. We review evidence from studies of non-human animals, children and adults, focusing on research in cognitive neuroscience that uses training and naturally occurring variations in expertise to examine the role of experience in the formation of the mirror system. The relevance of this research depends on the widely held assumption that the mirror system plays a causal role in generating imitative behaviour. We also report original data supporting this assumption. These data show that theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation of the inferior frontal gyrus, a classical mirror system area, disrupts automatic imitation of finger movements. We discuss the implications of the evidence reviewed for the evolution, development and intentional control of imitation.
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Correlated excitation of sensory and motor neurons encoding the same property of action occurs not only when humans are imitated, but also when we observe our own actions directly or using an optical mirror, observe others during synchronous activities, and as a consequence of acquired equivalence experience.
“Correlated excitation of sensory and motor neurons encoding the same property of action occurs not only when humans are imitated, but also when we observe our own actions directly or using an optical mirror; observe others during the kind of synchronous activities involved in sports and dance training; and as a consequence of 'acquired equivalence' experience, for example, when the same sound (a w”
From Mirror neurons: from origin to function (2014) · cites this paper as Catmur et al., 2009
TMS studies have demonstrated that stimulation of classical mirror areas can disrupt both intentional and automatic imitation of simple finger and hand actions.
“TMS studies have demonstrated that stimulation of classical mirror areas can disrupt both intentional and automatic imitation of simple finger and hand actions”
From Mirror neurons: from origin to function (2014) · cites this paper as Catmur et al., 2009
Cites
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- Authors
- Catmur, C., Walsh, V., & Heyes, C.
- Affiliations
- University College London (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Heyes, Cecilia
- Venue
- Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
- Publisher
- The Royal Society
- Published
- 2009-08-27
- Volume
- 364
- Issue
- 1528
- Pages
- 2369-2380
- ISSN
- 0962-8436 (ISSN-L)
- 1471-2970
- PMC
- PMC2865072
- OpenAlex
- W2126306116
- Cited by
- 281
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 33
- FWCI
- 3.13
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Surrey Research Insight Open Access (The University of Surrey) (submittedVersion)
- UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Economic and Social Research Council (RES-538-28-1001)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
- Keywords
- imitation, mirror system, correspondence problem, sensorimotor experience, inferior frontal gyrus, theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation, automatic imitation, finger movement, mirror neuron system
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Association Learning, Brain, Humans, Imitative Behavior, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Motor Activity, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
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