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Mirror Neurons: Imitation and Emotional Differences Among Males and Females, Preliminary Results

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Date Issued:
2014
Abstract/Description:
The mirror neuron system MNS consists of a specific class of visuomotor neurons, which fire for both observation of an action, and for execution of that action, as well as showing differences for empathy and gender. We studied the effect of different emotions on accuracy and response time of an imitative motor finger sequencing task for males and females. Method: A sample of 56 individuals aged 19-40 26 males, 30 females living in South Florida were All participants had Alexithymia scores of 60 or below and were free of any traumatic head injuries or current psychological disorders. No differences in years of education or age were found across groups. Results: 1. A one way ANOVA showed a significant difference in empathy or males and females F1,546.55, p .05, with a higher score for females. 2. A repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to compare levels of empathy and accuracy of the two emotion trials happy and angry among gender. The test of within-subjects effects showed a trend toward significance for the interaction between the emotion task and empathy level F1,533.05, p .087. Additionally, the interaction between the emotion task and gender shows a strong trend toward significance F1,533.73, p .059. No significant interaction was found for response time and empathy. Discussion: These preliminary results support differences for empathy levels among gender. It is expected that with a larger sample and more statistical power, significance in reached. These finding may offer a connection between empathy and gender effects in the MNS.
Title: Mirror Neurons: Imitation and Emotional Differences Among Males and Females, Preliminary Results.
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Name(s): Reale, AmberRose
Rosselli, Monica
Graduate College
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Abstract
Date Created: 2014
Date Issued: 2014
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 1 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: The mirror neuron system MNS consists of a specific class of visuomotor neurons, which fire for both observation of an action, and for execution of that action, as well as showing differences for empathy and gender. We studied the effect of different emotions on accuracy and response time of an imitative motor finger sequencing task for males and females. Method: A sample of 56 individuals aged 19-40 26 males, 30 females living in South Florida were All participants had Alexithymia scores of 60 or below and were free of any traumatic head injuries or current psychological disorders. No differences in years of education or age were found across groups. Results: 1. A one way ANOVA showed a significant difference in empathy or males and females F1,546.55, p .05, with a higher score for females. 2. A repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to compare levels of empathy and accuracy of the two emotion trials happy and angry among gender. The test of within-subjects effects showed a trend toward significance for the interaction between the emotion task and empathy level F1,533.05, p .087. Additionally, the interaction between the emotion task and gender shows a strong trend toward significance F1,533.73, p .059. No significant interaction was found for response time and empathy. Discussion: These preliminary results support differences for empathy levels among gender. It is expected that with a larger sample and more statistical power, significance in reached. These finding may offer a connection between empathy and gender effects in the MNS.
Identifier: FA00005849 (IID)
Collection: FAU Student Research Digital Collection
Note(s): The Fifth Annual Graduate Research Day was organized by Florida Atlantic University’s Graduate Student Association. Graduate students from FAU Colleges present abstracts of original research and posters in a competition for monetary prizes, awards, and recognition
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005849
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.