Curious what neuroscience, compassion, and Casey Anthony have to do with each other? The answer is something in our brains called a mirror neuron. About 20 years ago, neuroscientists in Italy conducted an experiment monitoring the brain wave patterns of a monkey. By pure serendipity, as some of the great breakthroughs in science sometime happen, they discovered that primate and human brains possess mirror neurons that appear to be special brain cells that enable us to understand and interpret the actions, emotions, intentions, and behaviors of other humans (Read the full details of the experiment at Mirror Neurons.
Here are two examples of how mirror neurons work. Think of a time you saw a child fall down and cry for help, or recall the thrill of watching your favorite team on TV make that winning touchdown. In both cases, the same neurons firing in the brain of the child in pain or the sudden euphoria you feel when viewing people in joy are due to mirror neurons. Mirror neurons suggest that our brains are ‘wired’ to feel both the emotions and intentions of others, as if our brain is also experiencing the same action or emotion. It is this biological conditioning that may account for human compassion and our ability to empathize and socialize with others. On a side note, humans may not be the only species with mirror neurons as dogs, elephants, dolphins, and higher primates also appear to have them. Anyone who has pets knows that empathic bond we have with our animals. The discovery of mirror neurons is revolutionizing our understanding of how human biology, evolution, psychology, language, and culture are all interconnected. In essence, mirror neurons make us more compassionate humans!
So now that neuroscience has a possible biological explanation for human compassion, what does this have to do with Casey Anthony? The answer again is mirror neurons. Before I explain, let me share an overview of the Casey Anthony trial that has been in the media recently. For those unfamiliar with the case, Anthony was recently acquitted and freed from the alleged murder of her daughter. What triggered the prosecution’s suspicion that Anthony may have been the murderer was her blatant lack of remorse or grief over her daughter’s death. It is Anthony’s shocking lack of emotional pain that probably also fascinated us with the case. Because of our mirror neurons, we experienced a strong emotional reaction upon hearing the news of the daughter’s death. As a society we were irked, confused, and eventually outraged by Anthony’s blasé reaction to the entire situation. It makes us collectively wonder how a mother could appear to be so heartless over the death of her own child.
Neuroscientists now conjecture that some people, for whatever reason, possess underdeveloped or fewer mirror neurons in their brains, which may now possibly account for people who are autistics, sociopaths, and murderers. Mirror neurons also enable us to recognize and interpret facial expressions, as we express many of our emotions through our face. Those with dysfunctional mirror neurons are able to identify various emotions, e.g. anger or happiness, and imitate their corresponding facial expressions in others. However, they do not easily process the empathic significance of the imitated emotion. When looking at other people’s facial expressions, those with poor mirror neurons do not know what it FEELS like when others are happy, angry, repulsed, afraid, or sad.
While I have no direct proof, my suspicion is that Casey Anthony (and other infamous alleged murderers such O.J. Simpson and Scott Peterson) may lack developed mirror neurons that prevent them from expressing remorse and compunction. Additionally, the media’s and our collective fascination with the Casey Anthony trial stems from our disbelief and anger over the apparent absence of her empathy and compassion.
It goes to show that while mirror neurons may have developed out of a biological necessity for humans to evolve, we are all soft-wired to experience compassion and empathy. Since neuroscience also states that we have the power to rewire our brain’s neural circuitry, we each have the capacity to develop our mirror neurons and, in turn, cultivate greater compassion and empathy toward others.
Keep training those mirror neurons as you keep on Living Your Lightâ.
Dr. Jay Kumar
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