While many researchers simply assume that the process of social mimicry (i.e., unconsciously performing similar actions to someone you are engaging with) are attributable to the activation of mirror neurons, there is not much empirical evidence to support this.
Utilizing cognitive neuroscience techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and EEG/EMG recordings, Dr. Sukhvinder Obhi (McMaster University) has sought a direct connection between mimicry behaviourally and activation of mirror neuron systems, as revealed by motor resonance (MR), neurophysiologically in a series of research studies.
Dynamic modulation of the motor cortex was observed during an action observation task (i.e., video of a hand squeezing a ball) following a staged social interaction with covert mimicry of the naive subject by the experimental confederate. In different conditions, subjects were primed with words suggesting interdependence (i.e., "together"), independence (i.e., "alone"), or no word superimposed on the video stimulus. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) recorded from hand muscles are often indicative of sub-threshold emulative motor activity, induced by the MR or motor representation of the observed action onto the observer's own motor repertoire. MEPs were higher among the interdependence primed group, suggesting that the dynamic excitability of the motor network is sensitive to social interactions involving mimicry.
In a subsequent study, motor resonance was found to be greater for human than robotic action observation, but only among subjects that were primed with a social interaction involving covert mimicry prior to the action observation task. Further, those subjects who unconsciously mimicked the experimenter demonstrated even greater MR than subjects who did not mimic during the social interaction, revealing a further modulatory effect of one's inherent tendency to be a "mimicker".
Dr. Obhi also examines the influence of traits like power and narcissism on MR, revealing that positions of high power prime atypically low MR, and narcissists show less sensitivity to contrasting visual and behavioural tasks compared to non-narcissists, who demonstrate typically longer reaction times and increased errors to incongruent stimuli.
Together, these studies provide some of the first pieces of empirical evidence that make the connection between the social behavioural phenomenon of mimicry with its underlying neural mechanisms. While the use of mimicry in social interactions to facilitate liking, relateability and rapport are well known, if and how these covert behaviours are executed during complex and constantly changing social interactions remain questions for Dr. Obhi and his collaborators.
Utilizing cognitive neuroscience techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and EEG/EMG recordings, Dr. Sukhvinder Obhi (McMaster University) has sought a direct connection between mimicry behaviourally and activation of mirror neuron systems, as revealed by motor resonance (MR), neurophysiologically in a series of research studies.
Dynamic modulation of the motor cortex was observed during an action observation task (i.e., video of a hand squeezing a ball) following a staged social interaction with covert mimicry of the naive subject by the experimental confederate. In different conditions, subjects were primed with words suggesting interdependence (i.e., "together"), independence (i.e., "alone"), or no word superimposed on the video stimulus. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) recorded from hand muscles are often indicative of sub-threshold emulative motor activity, induced by the MR or motor representation of the observed action onto the observer's own motor repertoire. MEPs were higher among the interdependence primed group, suggesting that the dynamic excitability of the motor network is sensitive to social interactions involving mimicry.
In a subsequent study, motor resonance was found to be greater for human than robotic action observation, but only among subjects that were primed with a social interaction involving covert mimicry prior to the action observation task. Further, those subjects who unconsciously mimicked the experimenter demonstrated even greater MR than subjects who did not mimic during the social interaction, revealing a further modulatory effect of one's inherent tendency to be a "mimicker".
Dr. Obhi also examines the influence of traits like power and narcissism on MR, revealing that positions of high power prime atypically low MR, and narcissists show less sensitivity to contrasting visual and behavioural tasks compared to non-narcissists, who demonstrate typically longer reaction times and increased errors to incongruent stimuli.Together, these studies provide some of the first pieces of empirical evidence that make the connection between the social behavioural phenomenon of mimicry with its underlying neural mechanisms. While the use of mimicry in social interactions to facilitate liking, relateability and rapport are well known, if and how these covert behaviours are executed during complex and constantly changing social interactions remain questions for Dr. Obhi and his collaborators.