Paper Session C
8. The Developmental Trajectory from
Amodal Perception to Empathy and Communication:
The Role of Mirror Neurons in this Process
Presenters: |
Nancy S. Wolf, MD
|
Discussant: |
Joseph Palombo, MA |
Self Psychology Page | 23rd Conference Program
Overview
In a recent paper entitled "Mirror Neurons, Procedural Learning and the Positive New Experience" (Wolf, Gales, Shane and Shane [in press]), data were presented about a special type of neuron, the mirror neuron, originally located by Rizzolatti and his colleagues (1992). These neurons were discussed as they related to a particular developmental view of psychotherapy and developmental self psychology (Shane, Shane and Gales, 1997).
In this paper we will focus on how this mirror neuron system might contribute to the development of communicative abilities in humans. We will first summarize the research findings about mirror neurons and how they apply to humans. We will then attempt to demonstrate how the mirror neuron system might be involved in a developmental sequence hypothesized by Kohut (1984), Stern (1985), and others to begin in infancy. We postulate that this trajectory starts with the onset of "amodal perception" (Stern, 1985), going then to affect resonance, joint attention, and ultimately to symbolization of language. In this paper, we will attempt to integrate these concepts with a formulation of empathy and demonstrate what might go awry in developmental disorders.