情绪模仿的神经生理机制：从镜像神经系统到神经网络

情绪模仿是指观察者对表达者传递出的非言语情绪信号进行模仿,进而表现出一致的表情与行为.以往关于情绪模仿的神经机制着重强调镜像神经系统的作用,然而随着研究成果越来越丰富,研究者们发现仅仅是镜像神经系统不足以解释情绪模仿的发生过程.梳理以往实证研究可以发现,情绪模仿是包括镜像神经系统、情绪系统、运动系统以及与社会认知相关脑区在内的脑网络共同作用的结果,该网络同时受到内分泌系统的调节.本文首先基于过往研究对情绪模仿的神经生理基础进行总结,然后介绍新近的神经网络概念模型,试图解释情绪信息从表达者传递至观察者完成模仿的神经路径,为情绪模仿的神经生理机制提供较为完整的框架,并在此基础上指出未来可能的研究方向.

The Neurophysiological Mechanism of Emotional Mimicry: From The Mirror Neuron System to Neuroendocrine Network

Emotional mimicry is defined as the tendency to imitate emotional expression of another people, which is more restricted by the social relational context than behavior imitation. Based on the perception-behavior link, the Motor Match Hypothesis proposed that Mirror Neuron System (MNS) is the core mechanism of emotional mimicry. However, more and more researchers argued that emotional mimicry is not a simple kind of behavioral imitation, proposing the Emotion Mimicry in Context View, emphasizing on the importance of social context, such as the relationship between actor and observer. What important is the activation of the MNS alone is not sufficient to explain the social dimension of facial mimicry. In addition to neural activation in brain regions attributed to the MNS, the multiple neuroimaging studies provided evidence for the activation of limbic system, motor system and brain regions involved in social evaluation and cognitive control processes. Meanwhile, emotional mimicry accepts the modulation by endocrine such as testosterone and oxytocin. Build upon previous studies, present research summarized the neural network involving in emotional mimicry and endocrine factors modulating the neural activity, introducing recent neuroendocrine models to show the neural pathway of emotional mimicry. Finally, studies in the future should provide support for neuroendocrine models and expand to the field of hyperscanning.