Simulation theories extend the notion of a mirror neuron (see Chapter 8) notonly to action, but also to sensation (such as pain and touch) and emotion. Theterm mirror system is used to convey the idea of neural circuits that disregardthe distinction between self and other, but need not necessarily imply action-codingmirror neurons. For example, the insula region is activated both when we aredisgusted and when we look at someone else scrunching up their face in anexpression of disgust (Phillips et al., 1997). Moreover, people who score higheron questionnaire measures of empathy show greater activation of their owndisgust regions when watching other people being disgusted (Jabbi et al., 2007).This suggests that we may, in some literal sense, share the emotions of the peoplearound us