What is Mirroring? (Definition)
Mirroring, also known as mimicking or Gauchais Reaction, is a nonverbal technique where a person copies the body language, vocal qualities, or attitude of another person. It is usually done subconsciously and can indicate interest or even attraction. Mirroring can occur many times throughout a social interaction and often goes unnoticed.

↑ Table of Contents ↑

Monkey Business
Early in the 1990s, researchers at the University of Parma in Italy were doing work with macaque monkeys. Quite by accident, when one of the researchers reached to grab his food, he noticed that the neurons in a nearby research monkey became active as if it were reaching for the food, even though in reality it was sitting idly by.

Startled by this finding, the researchers tested and found they could repeatedly make the monkey’s brain think it was taking action just by watching the researchers. This became the foundation for what are now called “mirror neurons.”

Later, in 2010, Kuhn et al. found that when someone mirrors your behavior, the areas of your brain that activate are the same ones that process rewards and make you feel good. And not only that—urges to mirror others are hardwired in the brain because cooperation leads to more food, better health, and economic