The unabashed and extreme joy felt and displayed by world explorer Aleksander Gamme as he discovers different food treats in supply stashes is infectious. It is very human, even if you don't speak Norwegian, to smile and laugh as does Aleksander with each new find. Laughter and joy are contagions as are anger, fear, and sadness. We laugh more at a funny movie - or cry at a sad portion - when there are more people in the theater. A sincere smile expressed to a pre-verbal infant virtually always results in a like expression "mirrored" back to us. Much of this behavior can be explained via the presence of a class of brain cells known as "Mirror Neurons" - and collectively they comprise the Mirror Neuron System (MNS). A better name be Empathy Neurons - for they play a very large roll in this crucial human quality and emotional phenomenon. The relative lack of mirror neurons or even subtypes of the MNS will most certainly in the not-too-distant future be able to be quantified and explain specific disease and learning disabilities.
Merry Christmas and thank you Aleksander.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1717: Why is Yawning Contagious? What is its connection to Autism? and Empathy?
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2196: Cross Species Body Language Contagious Yawning of Dogs Mirroring Humans An Indicator of What Dog Lovers Already Knew - Canine Empathy
Sincerity Secret # 20: Fiero Feels Good, Caroline Wozniacki & Our Mirror Neurons
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2216: Senator Jim DeMint's Body Language - Lip Purse, Suppressed Smile, Duping Delight & Retiring Early
Nonverbal Communication Secret # 2091: Sincere Smiling (a la' Blake Lively) and Laughing - Reduces Anxiety and Heart Rate, Boosts Immune System and Relieves Pain
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2139: Drew Brees, Johnny Unitas, 48 Straight and Sincere Smiles
Relationship Secret # 2: We are Programmed to Smile Back
Negotiation Body Language Secret # 353: Brad Pitt's Smiling Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smile
Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1010: What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye? a' la Rashida Jones
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1717: Why is Yawning Contagious? What is its connection to Autism? and Empathy?
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2196: Cross Species Body Language Contagious Yawning of Dogs Mirroring Humans An Indicator of What Dog Lovers Already Knew - Canine Empathy
Sincerity Secret # 20: Fiero Feels Good, Caroline Wozniacki & Our Mirror Neurons
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2216: Senator Jim DeMint's Body Language - Lip Purse, Suppressed Smile, Duping Delight & Retiring Early
Nonverbal Communication Secret # 2091: Sincere Smiling (a la' Blake Lively) and Laughing - Reduces Anxiety and Heart Rate, Boosts Immune System and Relieves Pain
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2139: Drew Brees, Johnny Unitas, 48 Straight and Sincere Smiles
Relationship Secret # 2: We are Programmed to Smile Back
Negotiation Body Language Secret # 353: Brad Pitt's Smiling Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smile
Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1010: What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye? a' la Rashida Jones
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