Mirror neurons have been one of the most exciting neurological discoveries of recent years. Some researchers have even gone so far as to compare the discovery of mirror neurons to DNA. Mirror neurons may be analogous to other human sensory systems, and some believe that mirror neurons represent their own unique sensory system. Mirror neurons are activated when a person or animal performs certain activities as well as when they observe another person performing the same activity (Winerman, 2005). They basically allow animals and humans to imitate and possibly even learn from others. While the original studies were conducted on monkeys, recent research has extended the theory to humans and other abilities outside of basic motor movements. This article will summarize research on mirror neurons in humans, language and autism. Furthermore, the limitations of this work will be discussed. Original Findings The widely popular research on mirror neurons and the various applications of research findings began with an important, but unexpected, discovery in the brain of macaque monkeys. The original studies did not intend to examine mirror neurons, and in fact the existence of mirror neurons was discovered by accident. Neuroscientist Giacomo Rizzolatti and his colleagues discovered a group of cells that activated whenever a monkey prepared to act on a stimulus as well as when it observed another monkey acting on the stimulus (Winerman, 2005). For example, monkeys showed a similar activation pattern when they performed a simple motor action such as grasping a peanut and when they watched another monkey perform the same action (Winerman, 2005). In other words, monkey sees, monkey fires, monkey does, monkey fires. This grouping of cells was called “mirror neurons”. The... center of the card... people are undoubtedly linked to the uniqueness of the human brain. However, claims suggesting the causality and global functioning of mirror neurons are misleading. Mirror neurons are just one important piece of a very complex puzzle. Works Cited Azar, B. (2005). How mimicry generated culture. Psychology Monitor, 36(9), 54.Carey, B. (2005). Can brain scans detect depression? New York Times. Dingfelder, San Francisco (2005). The smoking gun of autism? Monitor on Psychology, 36 (9), 52.Pineda, J. Mirror neurons and autism. Video shown in class on February 2, 2010. Sowell, E. Brain development in Adolescent. Video shown in class on January 26, 2010. Thompson, R. A., & Nelson, C. A. (2001). Developmental Science and Media: Early Brain Development. American Psychologist, 56(1), 5-15.Winerman, L. (2005). The mirror of the mind. Monitor psychology, 36 (9), 48.