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Hebbian Learning is about contingency, not contiguity, and explains the emergence of predictive mirror neurons

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 April 2014

Christian Keysers ,
David I. Perrett  and
Valeria Gazzola
Christian Keysers
Affiliation:
Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, KNAW, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands. [email protected]://www.nin.knaw.nl/research_groups/[email protected]://www.nin.knaw.nl/research_groups/keysers_group/team/valeria_gazzola Department of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
David I. Perrett
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, KY16 9JU, United Kingdom. [email protected]://www.perceptionlab.com/
Valeria Gazzola
Affiliation:
Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, KNAW, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands. [email protected]://www.nin.knaw.nl/research_groups/[email protected]://www.nin.knaw.nl/research_groups/keysers_group/team/valeria_gazzola Department of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Abstract

Hebbian Learning should not be reduced to contiguity, as it detects contingency and causality. Hebbian Learning accounts of mirror neurons make predictions that differ from associative learning: Through Hebbian Learning, mirror neurons become dynamic networks that calculate predictions and prediction errors and relate to ideomotor theories. The social force of imitation is important for mirror neuron emergence and suggests canalization.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 37 , Issue 2 , April 2014 , pp. 205 - 206
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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