What are mirror neurons?

Our morality is largely dependent on how connected we feel with others; the more connected we feel, the higher our degree of generosity and compassion. Part of that biology comes from a phenomenon involving what are called mirror neurons. Someone does something around you (like yawns, or crosses her arms) and you pick up on it and reflect the same action back.

Mirror neurons - like tiny, neurological video cameras - record life as it happens. They're how children learn, and why you may pick up a Southern accent after living a year in Louisiana. These neurons are found in various areas of the brain and they fire in response to people's actions.

When you see a person performing an action, you automatically want to simulate the action with the brain (certain circuits in the brain may actually prevent you from doing it). This applies to watching someone dance on "Dancing with the Stars" or serve an ace at the U.S. Open, which is why we can perform better after a real pro shows us the way. Mirror neurons enabled the brains of our ancestors to dramatically increase in size because their learning (and survival) ability grew so dramatically.

The cool thing is that mirror neurons don't fire only with yawning and other inconsequential bodily blurts; your mirror neurons also react to emotions, generating empathy. When you see someone touched in a painful way, your own pain areas are activated; when you see a spider crawl up someone's leg, you feel a creepy sensation because your mirror neurons are firing. Social emotions like guilt, shame, embarrassment, and lust are based on a uniquely human mirror neuron system found in a part of your brain called the insula.

It's why you feel sad in the face of tragedy; you can empathize with those people who experience it. It's what allows you to connect with other humans - and transcend the differences we have. It's also one of the reasons why church services and rituals can be so effective for helping people stay happy; they help teach you how you're supposed to feel and how powerful it can be to help others.

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