The observation and hearing of eating actions activates motor programs related to eating in macaque monkeys

The observation of actions can lead, in some cases, to the repetition of those same actions. In other words, motor programs similar to those observed can be recruited. Since this phenomenon is expressed when in the presence of another individual, it has been named social facilitation. In the present study we investigated whether the observation and/or hearing of eating actions facilitate eating behaviors in observing/listening pig-tailed macaques. In experiment 1, the observation of an eating room mate significantly enhanced eating behavior in the observer. Similar results were obtained (experiment 2) in response to the sound of eating actions but not to control sounds (experiment 3). We propose that eating facilitation triggered by observation or listening of eating actions can rely on the mirror neuron system of ventral premotor cortex that provides a matching between the observed/listened action and the executed action. This matching system can subsequently trigger the motor programs necessary for repeating the observed/heard actions.

Tipo Pubblicazione: 
Articolo
Author or Creator: 
Ferrari PF
Maiolini C
Addessi E
Fogassi L
Visalberghi E
Publisher: 
Elsevier, Tokyo , Paesi Bassi
Source: 
Behavioural brain research 161 (2005): 95–101. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2005.01.009
info:cnr-pdr/source/autori:Ferrari PF; Maiolini C; Addessi E; Fogassi L; Visalberghi E/titolo:The observation and hearing of eating actions activates motor programs related to eating in macaque monkeys/doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2005.01.009/rivista:Behavioural bra
Date: 
2005
Resource Identifier: 
http://www.cnr.it/prodotto/i/46761
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2005.01.009
info:doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2005.01.009
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166432805000367
Language: 
Eng
ISTC Author: 
Ritratto di Elsa Addessi
Real name: