Catmur Caroline, Walsh Vincent, Heyes Cecilia
Department of Psychology, University College London, London WC1H 0AP, UK.
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2009 Aug 27;364(1528):2369-80. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2009.0048.
A core requirement for imitation is a capacity to solve the correspondence problem; to map observed onto executed actions, even when observation and execution yield sensory inputs in different modalities and coordinate frames. Until recently, it was assumed that the human capacity to solve the correspondence problem is innate. However, it is now becoming apparent that, as predicted by the associative sequence learning model, experience, and especially sensorimotor experience, plays a critical role in the development of imitation. We review evidence from studies of non-human animals, children and adults, focusing on research in cognitive neuroscience that uses training and naturally occurring variations in expertise to examine the role of experience in the formation of the mirror system. The relevance of this research depends on the widely held assumption that the mirror system plays a causal role in generating imitative behaviour. We also report original data supporting this assumption. These data show that theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation of the inferior frontal gyrus, a classical mirror system area, disrupts automatic imitation of finger movements. We discuss the implications of the evidence reviewed for the evolution, development and intentional control of imitation.
模仿的一个核心要求是解决对应问题的能力；即便是在观察和执行产生不同感觉模态和坐标框架中的感觉输入时，也要将观察到的动作映射到执行的动作上。直到最近，人们还认为人类解决对应问题的能力是天生的。然而，现在越来越明显的是，正如联想序列学习模型所预测的那样，经验，尤其是感觉运动经验，在模仿能力的发展中起着关键作用。我们回顾了来自非人类动物、儿童和成人研究的证据，重点关注认知神经科学领域的研究，这些研究利用训练和专业技能中自然出现的差异来检验经验在镜像系统形成中的作用。这项研究的相关性取决于一个广泛持有的假设，即镜像系统在产生模仿行为中起因果作用。我们还报告了支持这一假设的原始数据。这些数据表明，对经典镜像系统区域——额下回进行theta爆发式经颅磁刺激，会干扰手指动作的自动模仿。我们讨论了所回顾的证据对模仿的进化、发展和有意控制的影响。
