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Evolution Of Language Mirror Neurons: Reaction Paper

Stroke victims who were paralyzed on the left sides of their bodies were analyzed in a case study in which it was noted that approximately five percent of them not only denied their own paralysis but that of other victims in front of them, as well. Ramachandran explained this phenomenon as stemming from damage to these particular patients' mirror neurons, since they could not judge another's movement without the corresponding movement neural cell firing in their own brains. His study of brain waves in humans was in agreement with this premise, wherein it was noted that the MU wave is blocked and disappears when subjects move their hands. This suppression was also attributed to Rizzolati's mirror neuron system, since the suppression occurs when subjects watch others move their hands as well. Despite the scientific nature of his conclusions, Ramachandran's attribution to the evolution of languages as stemming from the presence of mirror neurons suffers from minor assumptions. For instance, he presumes Rizzolatti's findings, which were observed in the ventral premotor area of primates, to be a homologue...

Furthermore, his arguments only account for the evolution of language in humans, and make no attempt to relate this evolution to other specialized segments for language capacity which are known to exist within the brain. However, the context for the basis of his premise, which revolves around the previous work of Rizzolatti, Darwin, and Chomsky, lends a credence to his theory that is difficult to disregard.
Bibliography

1. Hawks, John (2011, March 11). Language and Spandrels. Retrieved from http://johnhawks.net/taxonomy/term/623

2. Padden, Carol. (2007, May 21). Mirror Neurons…Hmmm… Retrieved from http://languageevolution.wordpress.com/2007/05/21/mirror-neurons-just-how-relevant-are-they/

3. Ramadchandran, V.S. (2005). Mirror Neurons and Imitation Learning as the Driving Force Behind "The Great Leap Forward" in Human Evolution. Retrieved from http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/ramachandran/ramachandran_p1.html

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Bibliography

1. Hawks, John (2011, March 11). Language and Spandrels. Retrieved from http://johnhawks.net/taxonomy/term/623

2. Padden, Carol. (2007, May 21). Mirror Neurons…Hmmm… Retrieved from http://languageevolution.wordpress.com/2007/05/21/mirror-neurons-just-how-relevant-are-they/

3. Ramadchandran, V.S. (2005). Mirror Neurons and Imitation Learning as the Driving Force Behind "The Great Leap Forward" in Human Evolution. Retrieved from http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/ramachandran/ramachandran_p1.html
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