Mirroring Cultural Interactions
One concept VS Ramachandran explores in depth in his book The Tell Tale Brain is "mirror neurons" (117). He suggests that these connections are what make it possible for humans to empathize with one another and achieve a deeper understanding of other's intent as well as emotions. This concept heavily overlaps with perhaps one of the defining symptoms of autism; the inability to make inferences of other's intent (140). Ramachandran argues that the functioning of these mirror neurons are what contribute to the dynamic social culture humans participate in (140), which can perhaps explain why many autistic individuals have difficulty communicating in such a setting.
Additionally, it is proposed that much of our learning, particularly social exchanges, stems from "mirror-neuron systems and the imitative learning associated with them" (Ramachandran 23). Mirror neurons, as defined by Ramachandran, are indicative of one's ability to foster imagination and creativity. This requires the application of explicit information, as stored in the brain, to implicit theories associated with the abstract thinking of the mind. Empathizing, to some degree, demands imaginativeness in order to consider the perspectives or perceptions of another. One reason autistic individuals may struggle with this is due to the mirror neuron disconnect Ramachandran introduces, a functional inability to make connections in this way between the mind and brain.
These findings are demonstrated in the case of Temple Grandin. She detailed how she could achieve an intense focus on what was in front of her, such as the grains of sand on a beach (Sacks 254), but feels detached from "social life" (Sacks 261). This separation between explicit and implicit information is also shown in the way she describes her method of thinking. Her thought process, dictated by visualizations and imagery (Sacks 266), relies heavily on explicit information, or what can directly be seen. However, she struggles with understanding others emotions beyond what can be made apparent through sensorimotor observation (Sacks 270). She cannot get a firm grasp on implicit knowledge such as emotions or motives (Sacks 270), supporting Ramachandran's theory that her difficulties stem from mirror neuron dysfunctions.
