文档介绍：Review TRENDS in Cognitive Sciences October 2005
Imitation: is cognitive neuroscience
solving the correspondence problem?
Marcel Brass1 and Cecilia Heyes2
1Department of Cognitive Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stephanstr. 1A, 04103 Leipzig,
Germany
2Department of Psychology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Imitation poses a unique problem: how does the imi- framework (generalist theories) or whether it depends on
tator know what pattern of motor activation will make a special purpose mechanism (specialist theories). We
their action look like that of the model? Specialist then review research on the role of learning in imitation
theories suggest that this correspondence problem has and observation of biological motion. Finally, we discuss
a unique solution; there are functional and neurological a problem for generalist theories: If imitation depends on
mechanisms dedicated to controlling imitation. General-
ist theories propose that the problem is solved by general
mechanisms of associative learning and action control. Box 1. Mirror neurons: What do they do? What are they for?
Recent research in cognitive neuroscience, stimulated Mirror neurons in the premotor area F5 of monkeys are active both
by the discovery of mirror neurons, supports generalist when the animal observes and whe