To pull your hand away from a hot kettle, to close your eyes when there is a flash of light... We perform such actions automatically, without having time to think about what exactly we are doing and why. That's what it is unconditioned reflexes human - innate reactions characteristic of all people without exception.
Discovery history, types, differences
Before considering unconditioned reflexes in detail, we will have to make small excursion into biology and talk about reflex processes in general.
So what is a reflex? In psychology, this is the name given to the body’s response to changes in the external or internal environment, which is carried out using the central nervous system. Thanks to this ability, the body quickly adapts to changes in the surrounding world or in its own internal state. For its implementation, a reflex arc is necessary, that is, the path along which the signal of irritation passes from the receptor to the corresponding organ.
Reflex reactions were first described by Rene Descartes in the 17th century. But the French scientist believed that this was not a psychological phenomenon. He considered reflexes as part of objective natural science knowledge, while psychology at that time was considered not a science, because it dealt only with subjective reality and was not subject to objective experiment.
And if the sense organs do not experience irritation, and sensitivity is lost, mental life freezes. Let us remember the well-known expression: “get tired until you lose your senses.” And indeed, when we are very tired, we, as a rule, do not dream and become almost insensitive to external stimuli: noise, light, even pain.
Sechenov's research was continued by I.P. Pavlov. He came to the conclusion that there are innate reflexes that do not require any special conditions, and acquired, arising during the body’s adaptation to the external environment.
If the release of saliva when food is served is a typical unconditioned reflex, and it is characteristic of all dogs, then saliva even at the sight of a helper is a typical conditioned reflex developed in individual animals. Hence the main difference between the two types: genetic or occurrence under the influence of the environment. In addition, unconditioned and conditioned reflexes differ in a number of indicators.
- Unconditioned are present in all individuals of the species, regardless of their living conditions; conditional, on the contrary, arise under the influence of the individual living conditions of the organism (this difference is clear from the name of each type).
- Unconditioned reactions are the foundation on which conditioned ones can be formed, but they need constant reinforcement.
- Reflex arcs of unconditioned reflexes are closed in the lower parts of the brain, as well as in the spinal cord. Conditioned arcs are formed in the cortex cerebral hemispheres brain.
- Unconditioned reflex processes remain unchanged throughout a person’s life, although they can be somewhat transformed in the case of a serious illness. Conditional - arise and disappear. In other words, in one case the reflex arcs are permanent, in the other they are temporary.
From these differences it is easy to add up general characteristics unconditioned reflexes: they are hereditary, unchangeable, inherent in all representatives of the species and support the life of the organism in constant environmental conditions.
Where do they arise?
As already mentioned, both conditioned and unconditioned reflexes are possible thanks to the work of the central nervous system. Its most important components are the brain and spinal cord. As an example of an unconditioned reflex for which the spinal cord is responsible, we can cite the well-known knee reflex.
Unconditioned reflexes of the brain are numerous. In the lower parts of this organ there are various reflex centers. So, if you move up from the spinal cord, the first is the medulla oblongata. Sneezing, coughing, swallowing, salivation - these reflex processes are possible precisely thanks to the work of the medulla oblongata.
Under the control of the midbrain - reactions that occur in response to visual or auditory impulses. This includes constriction or dilation of the pupil depending on the amount of light falling on it, a reflexive turn towards the source of sound or light. The effect of such reflexes extends only to unfamiliar stimuli.
That is, for example, when there are numerous sharp sounds, a person will each time turn to a new place where the noise originates, rather than continue to listen, trying to understand where the first sound came from. The so-called unconditioned reflex of straightening the posture is closed through the intermediate part of the brain. These are the muscle contractions with which our body responds to changes in posture; they allow the body to be held in a new position.
Classification
Classification of unconditioned reflexes is carried out according to different criteria. For example, there is a division that is understandable even to a non-specialist into simple, complex and extremely complex.
The classification is quite simple based on the body’s relationship to the stimulus. If you rely on it, unconditioned reflex reactions are divided into positive (search for food by smell) and negative (desire to escape from the source of noise).
By biological significance stand out the following types unconditioned reflexes:
- Nutritional (swallowing, sucking, salivation).
- Sexual (sexual arousal).
- Defensive or protective (the same withdrawal of hands or the desire to cover the head with hands if a person thinks that a blow is about to follow).
- Indicative (the desire to identify unfamiliar stimuli: turning your head towards a sharp sound or touch). They were already discussed when we talked about the reflex centers of the midbrain.
- Locomotor, that is, serving for movement (support the body in a certain position in space).
Very often in scientific literature there is a classification proposed by the Russian scientist P. V. Simonov. He divided all unconditioned reflexes into three groups: vital, role and self-development reflexes.
If the corresponding need is not satisfied, the physical existence of the organism ceases; another representative of the species is not needed to implement the reflex - these are the signs that unite all the reactions of this group.
Role-playing can be carried out, on the contrary, only through contact with another individual. These primarily include parental and sexual reflexes. The last group includes such reflexes as play, exploration, and the reflex of imitation of another individual.
Of course, there are other classification options, as well as other views on the methods of division given here. And this is not surprising: there is rarely unanimity among scientists.
Features and meaning
As we have already said, the reflex arcs of unconditioned reflexes are constant, but they themselves can be active in different periods human life. For example, sexual reflexes appear when the body reaches a certain age. Other reflex processes, on the contrary, fade away after a certain period of time. Suffice it to recall the unconscious grasping of a baby by an adult’s finger when pressing on his palm, which disappears with age.
The importance of unconditioned reflexes is enormous. They help to survive not only an individual organism, but the entire species. They are most significant in the early stages of a person’s life, when knowledge about the world has not yet been accumulated and the child’s activities are guided by reflex processes.
Moreover, according to recent research, certain unconditioned reflexes are carried out even in the womb (for example, sucking). With age, more and more conditioned reflexes are added to the unconditioned ones, which allow a person to better adapt to a changing environment. Author: Evgenia Bessonova
Reflex- this is the body's response to irritation of receptors, carried out nervous system. The path along which the nerve impulse passes during the implementation of the reflex is called.
The concept of “reflex” was introduced by Sechenov, he believed that “reflexes form the basis of the nervous activity of humans and animals.” Pavlov divided reflexes into conditioned and unconditioned.
Comparison of conditioned and unconditioned reflexes
| unconditional | conditional |
| present from birth | acquired during life |
| do not change or disappear during life | may change or disappear during life |
| identical in all organisms of the same species | Each organism has its own, individual |
| adapt the body to constant conditions | adapt the body to changing conditions |
| reflex arc passes through the spinal cord or brain stem | temporary connection is formed in the cerebral cortex |
| Examples | |
| salivation when lemon enters mouth | salivation at the sight of lemon |
| newborn sucking reflex | 6 month old baby's reaction to a bottle of milk |
| sneezing, coughing, pulling your hand away from the hot kettle | reaction of a cat/dog to a name |
Development of a conditioned reflex
Conditional (indifferent) the stimulus must precede unconditional(causing an unconditioned reflex). For example: a lamp is lit, after 10 seconds the dog is given meat.
Inhibition of conditioned reflexes
Conditional (non-reinforcement): the lamp lights up, but the dog is not given meat. Gradually, salivation when the lamp is turned on stops (the conditioned reflex fades).
Unconditional: During the action of a conditioned stimulus, a powerful unconditioned stimulus arises. For example, when the lamp is turned on, the bell rings loudly. No saliva is produced.
Choose the one that suits you best correct option. The centers of conditioned reflexes, in contrast to unconditioned ones, are located in humans in
1) cerebral cortex
2) medulla oblongata
3) cerebellum
4) midbrain
Answer
Choose one, the most correct option. Salivation in a person at the sight of a lemon is a reflex
1) conditional
2) unconditional
3) protective
4) approximate
Answer
Choose three options. The peculiarity of unconditioned reflexes is that they
5) are congenital
6) are not inherited
Answer
Choose three correct answers out of six and write down the numbers under which they are indicated. Unconditioned reflexes that ensure life activity human body,
1) are developed in the process of individual development
2) formed in the process of historical development
3) are present in all individuals of the species
4) strictly individual
5) formed under relatively constant environmental conditions
6) are not congenital
Answer
Choose three correct answers out of six and write down the numbers under which they are indicated. The peculiarity of unconditioned reflexes is that they
1) arise as a result of repeated repetition
2) are a characteristic characteristic of an individual individual of the species
3) are genetically programmed
4) are characteristic of all individuals of the species
5) are congenital
6) build skills
Answer
Choose one, the most correct option. What are the features of spinal reflexes in humans and mammals?
1) acquired during life
2) are inherited
3) are different in different individuals
4) allow the organism to survive in changing environmental conditions
Answer
Choose one, the most correct option. The extinction of a conditioned reflex when it is not reinforced by an unconditioned stimulus is
1) unconditional inhibition
2) conditioned inhibition
3) rational action
4) conscious action
Answer
Choose one, the most correct option. Conditioned reflexes of humans and animals provide
1) adaptation of the body to constant environmental conditions
2) adaptation of the body to the changing external world
3) development of new motor skills by organisms
4) discrimination by animals of the trainer’s commands
Answer
Choose one, the most correct option. A baby's reaction to a bottle of milk is a reflex that
1) inherited
2) is formed without the participation of the cerebral cortex
3) acquired during life
4) persists throughout life
Answer
Choose one, the most correct option. When developing a conditioned reflex, the conditioned stimulus must
1) act 2 hours after unconditional
2) come immediately after the unconditional
3) precede the unconditional
4) gradually weaken
Answer
1. Establish a correspondence between the meaning of the reflex and its type: 1) unconditional, 2) conditional. Write numbers 1 and 2 in the correct order.
A) provides instinctive behavior
B) ensures the adaptation of the organism to the environmental conditions in which many generations of this species lived
C) allows you to gain new experience
D) determines the behavior of the organism in changed conditions
Answer
2. Establish a correspondence between the types of reflexes and their characteristics: 1) conditional, 2) unconditional. Write numbers 1 and 2 in the order corresponding to the letters.
A) are congenital
B) adaptation to new emerging factors
C) reflex arcs are formed in the process of life
D) are the same in all representatives of the same species
D) are the basis of learning
E) are constant, practically do not fade during life
Answer
Choose one, the most correct option. Conditioned (internal) inhibition
1) depends on the type of higher nervous activity
2) appears when a stronger stimulus occurs
3) causes the formation of unconditioned reflexes
4) occurs when the conditioned reflex fades
Answer
Choose one, the most correct option. The basis of nervous activity in humans and animals is
1) thinking
2) instinct
3) excitement
4) reflex
Answer
1. Establish a correspondence between the examples and types of reflexes: 1) unconditional, 2) conditional. Write numbers 1 and 2 in the correct order.
A) withdrawing a hand from the fire of a burning match
B) a child crying at the sight of a man in a white coat
C) a five-year-old child reaching out to the sweets he saw
D) swallowing pieces of cake after chewing them
D) salivation at the sight of a beautifully set table
E) downhill skiing
Answer
2. Establish a correspondence between the examples and the types of reflexes that they illustrate: 1) unconditional, 2) conditioned. Write numbers 1 and 2 in the order corresponding to the letters.
A) sucking movements of the child in response to touching his lips
B) constriction of the pupil illuminated by the bright sun
C) performing hygiene procedures before bed
D) sneezing when dust enters the nasal cavity
D) secretion of saliva to the clink of dishes when setting the table
E) roller skating
Answer
© D.V. Pozdnyakov, 2009-2019
Reflex– the body’s response is not an external or internal irritation, carried out and controlled by the central nervous system. The development of ideas about human behavior, which has always been a mystery, was achieved in the works of Russian scientists I. P. Pavlov and I. M. Sechenov.
Reflexes unconditioned and conditioned.
Unconditioned reflexes- These are innate reflexes that are inherited by offspring from their parents and persist throughout a person’s life. The arcs of unconditioned reflexes pass through the spinal cord or brain stem. The cerebral cortex is not involved in their formation. Unconditioned reflexes are provided only to those environmental changes that have often been encountered by many generations of a given species.
These include:
Food (salivation, sucking, swallowing);
Defensive (coughing, sneezing, blinking, withdrawing your hand from a hot object);
Approximate (squinting eyes, turns);
Sexual (reflexes associated with reproduction and care of offspring).
The importance of unconditioned reflexes lies in the fact that thanks to them the integrity of the body is preserved, constancy is maintained and reproduction occurs. Already in a newborn child the simplest unconditioned reflexes are observed.
The most important of these is the sucking reflex. The stimulus of the sucking reflex is the touching of an object to the child’s lips (mother’s breast, pacifier, toy, finger). The sucking reflex is an unconditioned food reflex. In addition, the newborn already has some protective unconditioned reflexes: blinking, which occurs if a foreign body approaches the eye or touches the cornea, constriction of the pupil when exposed to strong light on the eyes.
Particularly pronounced unconditioned reflexes in various animals. Not only individual reflexes can be congenital, but also more complex shapes behaviors that are called instincts.
Conditioned reflexes– these are reflexes that are easily acquired by the body throughout life and are formed on the basis of an unconditioned reflex under the action of a conditioned stimulus (light, knock, time, etc.). I.P. Pavlov studied the formation of conditioned reflexes in dogs and developed a method for obtaining them. To develop a conditioned reflex, a stimulus is needed - a signal that triggers the conditioned reflex; repeated repetition of the action of the stimulus allows you to develop a conditioned reflex. During the formation of conditioned reflexes, a temporary connection arises between the centers and the centers of the unconditioned reflex. Now this unconditioned reflex is not carried out under the influence of completely new external signals. These irritations from the surrounding world, to which we were indifferent, can now become vitally important. Throughout life, many conditioned reflexes are developed that form the basis of our life experience. But this vital experience has meaning only for a given individual and is not inherited by its descendants.
In a separate category conditioned reflexes distinguish motor conditioned reflexes developed during our lives, i.e. skills or automated actions. The meaning of these conditioned reflexes is to master new motor skills and develop new forms of movements. During his life, a person masters many special motor skills related to his profession. Skills are the basis of our behavior. Consciousness, thinking, attention are freed from performing those operations that have become automated and become skills Everyday life. The most successful way to master skills is through systematic exercises, correcting errors noticed in time, and knowing the ultimate goal of each exercise.
If you do not reinforce the conditioned stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus for some time, then inhibition of the conditioned stimulus occurs. But it doesn't disappear completely. When the experience is repeated, the reflex is restored very quickly. Inhibition is also observed when exposed to another stimulus of greater strength.
Higher nervous activity(GNI)
Higher nervous activity (HNA) is a complex and interconnected set of nervous processes that underlie human behavior. GND ensures maximum human adaptability to environmental conditions.
GND is based on complex electrical and chemical processes occurring in the cells of the cerebral cortex. Receiving information through the senses, the brain ensures the interaction of the body with environment and maintains the constancy of the internal environment in the body.
The doctrine of higher nervous activity is based on the works of I.M. Sechenov - “Reflexes of the brain”, I.P. Pavlova (theory of conditioned and unconditioned reflexes), P.K. Anokhin (theory functional systems) and numerous other works.
Features of human higher nervous activity:
- developed mental activity;
- speech;
- ability for abstract logical thinking.
The creation of the doctrine of higher nervous activity began with the works of the great Russian scientists I.M. Sechenov and I.P. Pavlova.
Ivan Mikhailovich Sechenov in his book “Reflexes of the Brain” proved that a reflex is a universal form of interaction between the body and the environment, that is, not only involuntary, but also voluntary, conscious movements have a reflex character. They begin with irritation of any sensory organs and continue in the brain in the form of certain nervous phenomena that lead to the launch of behavioral reactions.
A reflex is the body's response to irritation, occurring with the participation of the nervous system.
THEM. Sechenov argued that brain reflexes include three parts:
- The first, initial link is stimulation in the senses caused by external influences.
- The second, central link is the processes of excitation and inhibition occurring in the brain. On their basis arise psychic phenomena(sensations, ideas, feelings, etc.).
- The third, final link is the movements and actions of a person, i.e. his behavior. All these links are interconnected and condition each other.
Sechenov concluded that the brain is an area of continuous change of excitation and inhibition. These two processes constantly interact with each other, which leads to both strengthening and weakening (delay) of reflexes. He also drew attention to the existence of innate reflexes, which people inherit from their ancestors, and acquired ones, which arise throughout life as a result of learning. I.M. Sechenov’s assumptions and conclusions were ahead of their time.
The successor of the ideas of I.M. Sechenov became I.P. Pavlov.
Ivan Petrovich Pavlov divided all reflexes that arise in the body into unconditional and conditional.
Unconditioned reflexes
Unconditioned reflexes are inherited by offspring from their parents, persist throughout the life of the organism and are reproduced from generation to generation ( permanent). They are common to all individuals a certain type, i.e. group.
In unconditioned reflexes constant reflex arcs, which pass through the brain stem or through the spinal cord (for their implementation participation of the cortex is not necessarycerebral hemispheres).
There are food, defensive, sexual and indicative unconditioned reflexes.
- Food: separation of digestive juices in response to irritation of oral receptors, swallowing, sucking movements in a newborn.
- Defensive: withdrawal of a hand that has touched a hot object or when experiencing painful irritation, coughing, sneezing, blinking, etc.
- Genital: The process of reproduction is associated with sexual reflexes.
- Approximate(I.P. Pavlov called it the “what is this?” reflex) ensures the perception of an unfamiliar stimulus. An indicative reflex appears in response to a new stimulus: a person becomes alert, listens, turns his head, squints his eyes, and thinks.
Thanks to unconditioned reflexes, the integrity of the body is preserved, the constancy of its internal environment is maintained, and reproduction occurs.
A complex chain of unconditioned reflexes is called instinct.
Example:
A mother feeds and protects her child, birds build nests - these are examples of instincts.
Conditioned reflexes
Along with hereditary (unconditioned) reflexes, there are reflexes that are acquired by every person throughout life. Such reflexes individual, and for their formation it is necessary certain conditions that's why they were named conditional.
Higher nervous activity is a system that allows the human and animal body to adapt to variable environmental conditions. Evolutionarily, vertebrates have developed a number of innate reflexes, but their existence is not enough for successful development.
In the process of individual development, new adaptive reactions are formed - these are conditioned reflexes. Outstanding domestic scientist I.P. Pavlov is the founder of the doctrine of unconditioned and conditioned reflexes. He formed the conditioned reflex theory, which states that the acquisition of a conditioned reflex is possible through the action of a physiologically indifferent irritation on the body. As a result, more a complex system reflex activity.
I.P. Pavlov - the founder of the doctrine of unconditioned and conditioned reflexes
An example of this is Pavlov's study of dogs that salivated in response to a sound stimulus. Pavlov also showed that innate reflexes are formed at the level of subcortical structures, and new connections are formed in the cerebral cortex throughout the life of an individual under the influence of constant irritations.
Conditioned reflexes
Conditioned reflexes are formed on the basis of unconditional ones, in the process of individual development of the organism, against the background of a changing external environment.
Reflex arc The conditioned reflex consists of three components: afferent, intermediate (intercalary) and efferent. These links carry out the perception of irritation, the transmission of impulses to cortical structures and the formation of a response.
The reflex arc of the somatic reflex performs motor functions (for example, flexion movement) and has the following reflex arc:
The sensitive receptor perceives the stimulus, then the impulse goes to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, where the interneuron is located. Through it, the impulse is transmitted to the motor fibers and the process ends with the formation of movement - flexion.
A necessary condition for the development of conditioned reflexes is:
- The presence of a signal that precedes the unconditional;
- the stimulus that will cause the catch reflex must be inferior in strength to the biologically significant effect;
- normal functioning of the cerebral cortex and the absence of distractions are mandatory.
Conditioned reflexes are not formed instantly. They are formed over a long period of time under constant observance of the above conditions. In the process of formation, the reaction either fades away, then resumes again, until stable reflex activity occurs.
An example of developing a conditioned reflex Classification of conditioned reflexes:
- A conditioned reflex formed on the basis of the interaction of unconditioned and conditioned stimuli is called first order reflex.
- Based on the classical acquired reflex of the first order, it is developed second order reflex.
Thus, a third-order defensive reflex was formed in dogs, the fourth could not be developed, and the digestive reflex reached the second. In children, conditioned reflexes of the sixth order are formed, in an adult up to the twentieth.
The variability of the external environment leads to the constant formation of many new behaviors necessary for survival. Depending on the structure of the receptor that perceives the stimulus, conditioned reflexes are divided into:
- Exteroceptive– irritation is perceived by body receptors and predominates among reflex reactions (taste, tactile);
- intraceptive– caused by action on internal organs (changes in homeostasis, blood acidity, temperature);
- proprioceptive– are formed by stimulating the striated muscles of humans and animals, providing motor activity.
There are artificial and natural acquired reflexes:
Artificial occur under the influence of stimulation that has no connection with the unconditioned stimulus (sound signals, light stimulation).
Natural are formed in the presence of a stimulus similar to the unconditioned one (the smell and taste of food).
Unconditioned reflexes
These are innate mechanisms that ensure the preservation of the integrity of the body, the homeostasis of the internal environment and, most importantly, reproduction. Congenital reflex activity is formed in the spinal cord and cerebellum and is controlled by the cerebral cortex. Typically, they last a lifetime.
Reflex arcs hereditary reactions are laid down before a person is born. Some reactions are characteristic of a certain age and then disappear (for example, in small children - sucking, grasping, searching). Others do not manifest themselves at first, but appear (sexually) after a certain period of time.
Unconditioned reflexes are characterized by the following features:
- Occur regardless of the consciousness and will of a person;
- specific - manifested in all representatives (for example, coughing, salivation at the smell or sight of food);
- endowed with specificity - they appear when exposed to a receptor (the reaction of the pupil occurs when a beam of light is directed to photosensitive areas). This also includes salivation, secretion of mucous secretions and enzymes digestive system when food enters the mouth;
- flexibility - for example, different foods lead to the secretion of a certain amount and variety chemical composition saliva;
- On the basis of unconditioned reflexes, conditioned ones are formed.
Unconditioned reflexes are needed to fulfill the needs of the body; they are constant, but as a result of illnesses or bad habits they can disappear. So, when the iris of the eye is diseased, when scars form on it, the reaction of the pupil to light exposure disappears.
Classification of unconditioned reflexes
Congenital reactions are classified into:
- Simple(quickly remove your hand from the hot object);
- complex(maintaining homeostasis in situations of increased CO 2 concentration in the blood by increasing the frequency of respiratory movements);
- the most complex(instinctive behavior).
Classification of unconditioned reflexes according to Pavlov
Pavlov divided innate reactions into food, sexual, protective, orientation, statokinetic, homeostatic.
TO food refers to the secretion of saliva at the sight of food and its entry into the digestive tract, of hydrochloric acid, gastrointestinal motility, sucking, swallowing, chewing.
Protective accompanied by contraction of muscle fibers in response to an irritating factor. Everyone is familiar with the situation when a hand reflexively withdraws from a hot iron or sharp knife, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes.
Approximate occur when sudden changes occur in nature or in the body itself. For example, turning the head and body towards sounds, turning the head and eyes towards light stimuli.
Genital are associated with reproduction, preservation of the species, this also includes parental (feeding and caring for offspring).
Statokinetic provide upright posture, balance, and body movement.
Homeostatic– independent regulation of blood pressure, vascular tone, respiratory rate, heart rate.
Classification of unconditioned reflexes according to Simonov
Vital to maintain life (sleep, nutrition, saving energy) depend only on the individual.
Role-playing arise upon contact with other individuals (procreation, parental instinct).
The need for self-development(desire for individual growth, to discover new things).
Innate reflexes are activated when necessary due to a short-term violation of internal constancy or variability in the external environment.
Comparison table between conditioned and unconditioned reflexes
| Comparison of the characteristics of conditioned (acquired) and unconditioned (innate) reflexes | |
|---|---|
| Unconditional | Conditional |
| Congenital | Acquired during life |
| Present in all representatives of the species | Individual for each organism |
| Relatively constant | Appear and disappear with changes in the external environment |
| Formed at the level of the spinal cord and medulla oblongata | Carried out through the work of the brain |
| Laid in utero | Developed against the background of innate reflexes |
| Occurs when a stimulus acts on certain receptor areas | Manifest under the influence of any stimulus that is perceived by the individual |
Higher nervous activity operates in the presence of two interrelated phenomena: excitation and inhibition (congenital or acquired).
Braking
External unconditional inhibition(congenital) is carried out by the action of a very strong irritant on the body. The termination of the conditioned reflex occurs due to the activation of nerve centers under the influence of a new stimulus (this is transcendental inhibition).
When the organism under study is exposed to several stimuli at the same time (light, sound, smell), the conditioned reflex fades, but over time the indicative reflex is activated and the inhibition disappears. This type of braking is called temporary.
Conditioned inhibition(acquired) does not arise on its own, it must be developed. There are 4 types of conditioned inhibition:
- Extinction (disappearance of a persistent conditioned reflex without constant reinforcement by the unconditioned);
- differentiation;
- conditional brake;
- delayed braking.
Inhibition is a necessary process in our life. In its absence, many unnecessary reactions would occur in the body that would not be beneficial.
Example of external inhibition (dog's reaction to a cat and the SIT command) The meaning of conditioned and unconditioned reflexes
Unconditioned reflex activity is necessary for the survival and preservation of the species. A good example serves the birth of a child. In a new world for him, many dangers await him. Thanks to the presence of innate reactions, the cub can survive in these conditions. Activated immediately after birth respiratory system, the sucking reflex provides nutrients, touching sharp and hot objects is accompanied by an instant withdrawal of the hand (manifestation of defensive reactions).
For further development and existence, one has to adapt to the surrounding conditions; conditioned reflexes help with this. They ensure rapid adaptation of the body and can be formed throughout life.
The presence of conditioned reflexes in animals gives them the ability to quickly respond to the voice of a predator and save their lives. When a person sees food, he or she performs conditioned reflex activity, salivation begins, and gastric juice begins to be produced for rapid digestion of food. The sight and smell of some objects, on the contrary, signals danger: the red cap of the fly agaric, the smell of spoiled food.
The importance of conditioned reflexes in the everyday life of humans and animals is enormous. Reflexes help you navigate the terrain, get food, and escape from danger while saving your life.