Since individuals with autism spectrum disorder have difficulty imitating only certain actions, that deficit can be related to _____ function in a subset of mirror neurons, rather than to a general dysfunction of the _____ neural circuits involved in imitation.
A) lateral; prefrontal
B) abnormal; cortical
C) cortical; abnormal
D) prefrontal; lateral

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is B) abnormal; cortical. This is because the statement refers to a specific dysfunction in the function of a subset of mirror neurons, which are neurons in the brain that are active both when an individual acts and when the individual observes the same action performed by another. This dysfunction is not generalized across all neural circuits involved in imitation but is specific to the cortical areas where mirror neurons are located, hence "abnormal function in a subset of mirror neurons" and "cortical neural circuits involved in imitation."

Since Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder Have Difficulty Imitating Only