Contribution of „Social Neuro-sciences“ to understanding the psyche

Abstract

Summary: This contribution clarifies the meaning of reciprocal dyadic mirroring and resonance processes between the infant and caretaker in the emergence of an infantile Self. The neuro-biological basis of interpersonal mirroring and resonance processes, whose significance extends beyond early childhood, gives rise to the Mirror Neuron System (“Mirror Neuron System”), whereby William Hutchison’s discovery of the Limbic Mirror System (“Limbic Mirror System”) is of special significance. Beyond early childhood the Mirror Neuron System allows people to understand each other intuitively. The neuro-biological basis for people’s ability to consciously change perspective is in the frontal lobe, that is; located in the prefrontal cortex structures, where the inner conceptualization of the Self as well as significant others are coded. When people consciously make an effort to understand the inner world of the other, networks are always activated, where the inner image of their own person has been stored, and is referred to as a “Self-Projection” mechanism. The frontal cortex is the location –in addition to the so-called structural neuronal networks that function as inner self-observer and play a significant role for good self-welfare. Mirroring and resonance processes between the therapist and patient are of relevance for psychotherapeutic work. Likewise of equal importance is the communication of the therapist with the inner self-observer of the patient, the encouragement of good self-care and strengthening the Self.

Keywords: Social neurosciences, the Self, mirror neurons, self-projection, mirroring, understanding, Theory of Mind, psyche, psychotherapy, social brain, resonance, self-healing forces