The Neuroscience of Social Interaction: Decoding, Imitating, and Influencing the Actions of Others by Chris Frith
Oxford University Press; 1 edition | March 11, 2004 | English | ISBN: 0198529252 | 363 pages | PDF | 3 MB
Oxford University Press; 1 edition | March 11, 2004 | English | ISBN: 0198529252 | 363 pages | PDF | 3 MB
Humans, like other primates, are intensely social creatures. One of the major functions of our brains must be to enable us to be as skilful in social interactions as we are in our interactions with the physical world (eg recognizing objects and grasping them). Furthermore, any differences between human brains and those of our nearest relatives, the great apes, are likely to be linked to our unique achievements in social interaction and communication rather than our motor or perceptual skills. In particular, humans have the ability to mentalize (or mind read), that is to perceive and communicate mental states, such as beliefs and desires.