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Review
. 2011 Jan;17(1):RA18-24.
doi: 10.12659/msm.881324.

How we empathize with others: a neurobiological perspective

Kamila Jankowiak-Siuda  1 , Krystyna Rymarczyk, Anna Grabowska
Affiliations
Review

How we empathize with others: a neurobiological perspective

Kamila Jankowiak-Siuda et al. Med Sci Monit. 2011 Jan.

Abstract

Empathy allows us to internally simulate the affective and cognitive mental states of others. Neurobiological studies suggest that empathy is a complex phenomenon, which can be described using a model that includes 2 modes of processing: bottom-up and top-down. Bottom-up neural processing is achieved via the mirroring representation systems that play a key role in the direct sharing of the emotional states of others. Top-down processing, known as cognitive perspective-taking or theory of mind, where the feelings of others are fully imagined and understood, is based on control and inhibition mechanisms. Available evidence indicates that empathic brain responses are likely to be influenced by several different modulating factors.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Neuronal basis of imitation (after [11], modified). The Figure shows the frontoparietal mirror neuron system (MNS) (black ovals) and visual input (grey star) in the human brain. The anterior area of the MNS involves the posterior inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and the ventral premotor cortex (PMC), and the rostral area involves the inferior parietal lobule (IPL). The grey arrow indicates input to the MNS from the STS. The black arrow shows the information flow from the IPL to the PMC/IFG. The white arrows show the information flow from PMC/IFG to the IPL and to the STS (based on [11]).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Key brain structures involved in empathy connected with the 2 modes of processing information: bottom-up (light grey) and top-down (dark grey) interoception. MPFC – medial prefrontal cortex; TPJ – temporo-parietal junction; STS – superior temporal sulcus; TP – temporal pole; ACC – anterior cingulate cortex; AI – anterior insula; SII – somatosensory cortex (after [39], modified).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Two modes of processing information engaged in empathy: bottom-up (grey arrow) and top-down (white arrow) (after [18], modified).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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