The Effects of Similarity on Mirror Behavior
Date
2007
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Producer
Director
Performer
Choreographer
Costume Designer
Music
Videographer
Lighting Designer
Set Designer
Crew Member
Funder
Rehearsal Director
Concert Coordinator
Advisor
Moderator
Panelist
Alternative Title
Department
Haverford College. Department of Psychology
Type
Thesis
Original Format
Running Time
File Format
Place of Publication
Date Span
Copyright Date
Award
Language
eng
Note
Table of Contents
Terms of Use
Rights Holder
Access Restrictions
Haverford users only
Terms of Use
Tripod URL
Identifier
Abstract
Error related negativity (ERN) and error positivity (Pe) are event related brain potentials (ERP) associated with the monitoring and detection of errors. Observational ERN and Pe were used to investigate perceived similarity and empathy as modulators of neural mirroring. Subjects were manipulated to feel either similar or dissimilar to a confederate. Subjects' EEG was recorded while they observed the confederate complete the Flanker task. Subjects also completed a trait empathy questionnaire and self-report of perceived similarity. Subjects who perceived the confederate as more similar had smaller ERN amplitudes and larger Pe amplitudes than subjects who perceived the confederate as less similar. There was no significant difference in amplitude when looking at different degrees of trait empathy. We conclude that perceived similarity is a modulator of neural mirroring as represented by observational ERN/Pe, while trait empathy is not. Reasons for opposite effects on ERN and Pe are discussed, including the idea that ERN and Pe are completely separate process that both involved in the same overall function. Also discussed is the idea that similar individuals do not expect their compatriot to make an error and thus bypass the first step in error detection (ERN), leading to an enhanced second step (Pe).