- Found in both adults and children 
- Suggested to be important in the imitation of action, and therefore working cooperatively 
- May also be important to the understanding of others on an emotional level (empathy)

Mirror Neurons in Humans 

- Subregion of premotor cortex 
- Mirror neurons "fire" electrical impulses when a specific movement is being executed, or when a monkey (for example) watches another monkey or human  perform the same task

Smith College

- The premotor cortex is utilized when a stimuli from the outside world is present, and spurs on certain movements/behaviors to occur as a result 
- Not considered "one" system but has a multitude of functions in order to plan the movement of an organism 
- For example, this includes awareness of objects, and mirroring of behavior

Premotor Cortex

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

- When an object was placed in front of a monkey's face/hands, the premotor neurons were "activated" (began firing signals), and continued firing even when the lights were turned off/ the object was moved
- Therefore, the neurons were signifying where the object was located in relation to the monkey (in case the monkey grabbed it later on)

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