Located in the brain’s “mirror neurons” is the physiological mechanism for social interaction. Parts of our brains become active when we see something in motion, for example. ‘It seems we are not just observers of the social scene but that we automatically share the experiences and emotions of the people we are observing.’ That is probably why there are leaders and followers, with the leader providing the beat.

Such social behavior can be explained under the purview of neuroscience. When you have two people performing together, they are ‘best described as a single, complex system rather than as two systems interacting. We also believe the same kinds of description should be applied generally to the brain activity that occurs when two people interact, because their brains also become a single complex system.’

Social interaction is a curious thing. People unwittingly imitate each other, ‘or else show the appropriate complementary action and reaction. When this happens, the parts of the brain that unconsciously respond to the actions of others create a form of resonance. We are not usually aware of this, but when it occurs we feel “on the same wavelength” as the person with whom we are interacting.’ This phenomenon of similarity, and mutual understanding within the realm of resemblance, is the foundation of communication.

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Via NewScientist