October 2005 | Monitor on Psychology
Vol. 36 No. 9
On the Cover: Mirror Neurons
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The mind's mirror
A new type of neuron--called a mirror neuron--could help explain how we learn through mimicry and why we empathize with others.
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Autism's smoking gun?
New research suggests that a malfunctioning mirror-neuron system could be behind the social isolation of autism.
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How mimicry begat culture
Researchers from varied disciplines look to mirror neurons to explain many aspects of human evolution.
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A eureka moment
Patricia Greenfield, PhD, argued that the same brain area controlled both the linguistic ability to form combinations, as well as manual ability to form combinations.
SCIENCE WATCH
Downing more liquor than planned nets a hangover of regret and reduced restraint, an ecological assessment reveals.
IN BRIEF
- Psychology, APA act quickly to help in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath
- Like humans, some chimps mimic social norms in parenting
- Parents' depression can intensify their children's depression
- Behavioral science included in homeland security curricula
- Studies find insomnia may precede and maintain depression
- Matched ideals enhance couples' satisfaction
- Ecstasy's popularity grows among otherwise 'drug naive' teens
- Psychologists testify on Capitol Hill about consumer fraud
- Western cultures link women's attractiveness with healthiness
- APA endorses federal study of child abuse
- Voice Awards honor positive portrayals of mental disorders
- Giving social support appears to bolster women's health
ETHICS ROUNDS
Our background, training and identity as psychologists should be central to how we teach ethics.
Features
A bill working its way through Congress threatens two psychologists' NIMH-funded research.
More schools are putting health centers on-site, improving students' health and mental health care--and offering new opportunities for psychologists.
Seven 'masters' are mentoring 17 gifted and economically disadvantaged teens as part of the APEX project.
A new graduate program at the University of Michigan examines how the contexts we're in-- from casual interactions to our country's political climate--interact with aspects of our identities.
A new APA Science Directorate institute taught psychologists and students to conduct online research.
Psychologists join together to encourage greater acceptance of their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender family members.
Psychologists draw from social psychology research to encourage more environmentally friendly behaviors.
EARLY-CAREER PSYCHOLOGY
Job No. 2 means more for your career than Job No. 1--so choose wisely, early-career experts advise.
PUBLIC POLICY UPDATE
U.S. House funds an APA-proposed psychology training program in military hospitals.
COLUMNS
From the CEO
Judicial Notebook
President's Column
Professional Point
Speaking of Education