Types and forms of conditioned reflexes. Unconditioned and conditioned reflexes

01.10.2019

Conditioned reflexes are complex adaptive reactions of the body, carried out by the higher parts of the central nervous system by forming a temporary connection between the signal stimulus and the unconditional reflex act that reinforces this stimulus. Based on the analysis of the patterns of formation of conditioned reflexes, the school created the doctrine of higher nervous activity(cm.). Unlike unconditioned reflexes (see), which ensure the body's adaptation to constant influences external environment, conditioned reflexes enable the body to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Conditioned reflexes are formed on the basis of unconditioned reflexes, which requires the coincidence in time of some stimulus from the external environment (conditioned stimulus) with the implementation of one or another unconditioned reflex. The conditioned stimulus becomes a signal of a dangerous or favorable situation, enabling the body to respond with an adaptive reaction.

Conditioned reflexes are unstable and are acquired in the process of individual development of the organism. Conditioned reflexes are divided into natural and artificial. The first arise in response to natural stimuli in vivo existence: a puppy that has received meat for the first time sniffs it for a long time and timidly eats it, and this act of eating is accompanied. In the future, only the sight and smell of meat causes the puppy to lick and excrete. Artificial conditioned reflexes are developed in an experimental setting, when the conditioned stimulus for the animal is an impact that is not related to unconditioned reactions in the natural habitat of animals (for example, flashing light, the sound of a metronome, sound clicks).

Conditioned reflexes are divided into food, defensive, sexual, indicative, depending on the unconditioned reaction that reinforces the conditioned stimulus. Conditioned reflexes can be named depending on the recorded response of the body: motor, secretory, vegetative, excretory, and can also be designated by the type of conditioned stimulus - light, sound, etc.

For the development of conditioned reflexes in an experiment, a number of conditions are necessary: 1) the conditioned stimulus must always precede the unconditioned stimulus in time; 2) the conditioned stimulus should not be strong so as not to cause its own reaction of the organism; 3) as a conditional stimulus is taken, usually found in the surrounding conditions of the habitat of a given animal or person; 4) the animal or person must be healthy, vigorous and have sufficient motivation (see).

There are also conditioned reflexes of various orders. When a conditioned stimulus is reinforced with an unconditioned stimulus, a first-order conditioned reflex is developed. If some stimulus is reinforced by a conditioned stimulus, to which a conditioned reflex has already been developed, then a second-order conditioned reflex is developed to the first stimulus. Conditioned reflexes of higher orders are developed with difficulty, which depends on the level of organization of a living organism.

In a dog, it is possible to develop conditioned reflexes up to 5-6 orders, in a monkey - up to 10-12 orders, in a person - up to 50-100 orders.

The works of I. P. Pavlov and his students established that the leading role in the mechanism of the occurrence of conditioned reflexes belongs to the formation of a functional connection between the centers of excitation from conditioned and unconditioned stimuli. The cortex played an important role in this. hemispheres, where the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli, creating foci of excitation, began to interact with each other, creating temporary connections. Later, using electrophysiological research methods, it was found that the interaction between conditioned and unconditioned excitations can first occur at the level of the subcortical structures of the brain, and at the level of the cerebral cortex, the formation of an integral conditioned reflex activity is carried out.

However, the cerebral cortex always keeps the activity of subcortical formations under control.

Studies of the activity of single neurons of the central nervous system by the microelectrode method showed that both conditioned and unconditioned excitations (sensory-biological convergence) come to one neuron. It is especially pronounced in the neurons of the cerebral cortex. These data made it necessary to abandon the idea of the presence of foci of conditioned and unconditioned excitation in the cerebral cortex and create the theory of convergent closure of the conditioned reflex. According to this theory, the temporal connection between conditioned and unconditioned excitation arises in the form of a chain of biochemical reactions in the protoplasm nerve cell cerebral cortex.

Modern ideas about conditioned reflexes have been significantly expanded and deepened due to the study of the higher nervous activity of animals in the conditions of their free natural behavior. It has been established that the environment, along with the time factor, plays an important role in the behavior of the animal. Any stimulus from the external environment can become conditional, allowing the body to adapt to environmental conditions. As a result of the formation of conditioned reflexes, the body reacts some time before exposure to an unconditioned stimulus. Consequently, conditioned reflexes contribute to the successful finding of food by animals, help to avoid danger in advance and most perfectly navigate in the changing conditions of existence.

Reflex- the response of the body 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 conditional.

Unconditioned reflexes- these are innate reflexes that are inherited by offspring from parents and persist throughout a person's life. Arcs of unconditioned reflexes pass through spinal cord or brain stem. The cerebral cortex does not participate in their formation. Unconditioned reflexes provide only those changes in the environment that many generations of a given species often encountered.

To include:

Food (salivation, sucking, swallowing);
Defensive (coughing, sneezing, blinking, pulling the hand away from a hot object);
Approximate ( skew eyes, turns);
Sexual (reflexes associated with reproduction and care of offspring).
The significance of unconditioned reflexes lies in the fact that thanks to them the integrity of the body is preserved, the maintenance of constancy and reproduction occurs. Already in a newborn child, the simplest unconditioned reflexes are observed.
The most important of these is the sucking reflex. The irritant of the sucking reflex is the touch of an object on the child's lips (mother's breasts, nipples, toys, fingers). 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 strong light is applied to the eyes.

Particularly pronounced unconditioned reflexes in various animals. Not only individual reflexes can be innate, but also more complex forms of behavior, which are called instincts.

Conditioned reflexes- these are reflexes that are easily acquired by the body during life and are formed on the basis of an unconditioned reflex under the action of a conditioned stimulus (light, knock, time, etc.). IP Pavlov studied the formation of conditioned reflexes in dogs and developed a method for obtaining them. To develop a conditioned reflex, an irritant is needed - a signal that triggers a 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 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 outside world, to which we were indifferent, can now become of vital importance. During life, many conditioned reflexes are developed, which form the basis of our life experience. But this life experience makes sense only for this individual and is not inherited by its descendants.

into a separate category conditioned reflexes allocate motor conditioned reflexes developed during our life, i.e. skills or automated actions. The meaning of these conditioned reflexes is the development of new motor skills, the development of new forms of movements. During his life, a person masters many special motor skills associated with 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 mistakes noticed in time, knowing the ultimate goal of each exercise.

If the conditioned stimulus is not reinforced for some time by the unconditioned stimulus, then the conditioned stimulus is inhibited. But it doesn't disappear completely. When the experiment is repeated, the reflex is very quickly restored. Inhibition is also observed under the influence of another stimulus of greater force.

Exist big variety reflexes that differ depending on the response of conditioned stimuli and the type of receptors that perceive irritation. Depending on the response, vegetative and somatomotive conditioned reflexes are distinguished. Conditioned reflexes, in which the reflex response manifests itself in activity internal organs, refer to vegetative(food, respiratory, cardiovascular, etc.). Conditioned reflexes associated with the activity of skeletal muscles are referred to as somatomotor.

Conditioned reflexes can be formed in the natural conditions of the animal's life under the action of natural stimuli. For example, the formation of a conditioned food reflex to the sight and smell of food. Conditioned reflexes developed to these stimuli are called natural. natural conditioned reflexes are quickly formed and are highly stable. But a signal for food (or another type of activity) can be any stimulus that is not naturally associated with food intake (for example, light, sound, temperature changes, etc.). Conditioned reflexes to such stimuli are called artificial.

Any stimulus that sends nerve impulses to the cortex big brain from outside and internal environment, with a certain strength, they can acquire signal values, that is, conditioned reflexes can be developed on them. They are formed both for single stimuli and for a complex, which is more common in the natural conditions of an organism's life. The ratio between the conditioned stimulus and reinforcement, which has developed in the process of formation of the conditioned reflex, determines its form. In cases where the conditioned stimulus and reinforcement act simultaneously, reflexes are formed, called matching. When reinforcement is given some time after the start of the action of the conditioned stimulus (after 1-3 minutes), such conditioned reflexes are called delayed.

Conditioned reflexes can also be formed when unconditional reinforcement is given after a much longer time, with something that is necessary for the formation of delayed reflexes. They are so called because the temporary connection is formed not on direct excitation, but on its trace processes that continue in the neurons of the cerebral cortex after the cessation of the action of the conditioned stimulus. Reflections of this type are great importance to establish a certain sequence of processes in the body, for example, to form motor skills, in which each motor act is a conditioned stimulus for the transition to execution the following items skill. This makes it possible to turn skills into a highly automated system of conditioned reflexes. A complex form of trace reflexes are conditioned reflexes on time. There are conditioned reflexes that are developed for a certain period of time and for certain time days (conditioned reflex increase in the secretion of digestive juices during meals, performance during work hours). The formation of time reflexes is based on periodic changes physiological functions in the body throughout the day. At the same time, high-quality periodic fluctuations physiological functions (heart contraction, respiratory rate, periodic changes in the work of the digestive organs), and for reflexes at a certain time of the day - daily periodic fluctuations in the intensity of physiological processes.

Of great importance for the formation of skills are imitation conditioned reflexes, formed as a result of copying the movements and activities of adults.

Conditioned reflexes of higher orders. These are reflexes formed when a conditioned stimulus is combined with a previously formed and well-established conditioned reflex. For example, a dog has developed a food conditioned reflex to the sound of a metronome (reflex first order), over time, by combining the sound of a metronome (without reinforcing it with food) with the inclusion of a light, you can develop a food conditioned reflex second order to a light stimulus. A person can develop a conditioned reflex of any order, while in animals, for example, dogs, only the third and fourth order, and this is provided that the first-order reflex was formed on the basis of a protective reflex. Reflexes of higher orders provide the most perfect adaptation to the conditions of life. Humans, and to some extent higher animals, tend to foresee the result of certain events and change their behavior in accordance with the foreseen results. So, for example, a person, based on experience, correlating his speed and the speed of traffic, speeds up or slows down his movement in order to timely approach a stop.

So, there is a wide variety of conditioned reflexes. Depending on the response to conditioned stimuli, autonomic and somatomotive reflexes are distinguished, depending on the nature of the conditioned stimulus, natural and artificial conditioned reflexes. In form, conditioned reflexes can be coinciding, delayed, trace, time reflexes, and others. In man and higher animals it is possible to develop reflexes of higher orders, which provide the most perfect adaptation to the conditions of life.

Subdivided according to several criteria

By the nature of education conditioned reflexes are divided into:

Natural conditioned reflexes formed on the basis of natural unconditioned stimuli (view, food, etc.); they do not require for their education a large number combinations are strong, persist throughout life and thus approach unconditioned reflexes. Natural conditioned reflexes are formed from the first moment after birth.
artificial conditioned reflexes are produced on, not having biological significance, as well as not directly related to this unconditional, not possessing in natural conditions the properties of the stimulus that causes this (for example, you can develop a food reflex to a flashing light). Artificial conditioned reflexes are developed more slowly than natural ones, and quickly fade away with non-reinforcement.

By type of unconditional, i.e. according to their biological significance, conditioned reflexes are divided into:

food
defensive
Sexual

By the nature of the activity conditioned reflexes are divided into:

positive , causing a certain conditioned reflex;
negative or inhibitory , the conditioned reflex effect of which is the active cessation of conditioned reflex activity.

By means and type of reinforcement allocate:

Reflexes of the first order - these are reflexes in which an unconditioned reflex is used as a reinforcement;
Second order reflexes - these are reflexes in which a previously developed strong is used as a reinforcement. Accordingly, on the basis of these reflexes, one can develop conditioned reflex of the third order, fourth order etc.
Reflexes of a higher order - these are reflexes in which a previously developed strong conditioned reflex of the second (third, fourth) is used as a reinforcement. etc.) order. It is this type of conditioned reflexes that are formed in children and form the basis for the development of their mental activity. The formation of reflexes of higher orders depends on the perfection of the organization of the nervous system. In dogs, it is possible to develop conditioned reflexes of the fourth order, and in a monkey even higher orders, in adults - up to 20 orders. In addition, conditioned reflexes of higher orders are formed the easier, the more excitable nervous system, as well as the stronger the unconditioned reflex, on the basis of which the first-order reflex was developed. Conditioned reflexes of higher orders are unstable and easily fade away.

By the nature and complexity of the conditioned stimulus allocate:

Simple conditioned reflexes are produced during the isolated action of single stimuli - light, sound, etc.
Complex conditioned reflexes - under the action of a complex of stimuli, consisting of several components, acting either simultaneously or sequentially, directly one after another or at short intervals.
Chain conditioned reflexes produced by a chain of stimuli, each component of which acts in isolation after the previous one, not coinciding with it, and causes its own conditioned reflex reaction.

According to the ratio of the action time of the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli conditioned reflexes are divided into two groups:

Cash conditioned reflexes, when the conditioned signal and reinforcement coincide in time. With a matching conditioned reflex reinforcement immediately joins the signal stimulus (no later than 1-3 s), with delayed conditioned reflex - in the period up to 30 s, and in the case lagging reflex isolated action of the conditional lasts 1-3 minutes.
trace conditioned reflexes when reinforcement is presented only after the end of the conditioned stimulus. Available reflexes, in turn, according to the size of the interval between the action of stimuli, are divided into coinciding, delayed and delayed. trace conditioned reflexes are formed when reinforcement follows after the end of the action of the conditioned stimulus and, therefore, are combined only with trace processes of excitation that arose under the action of the conditioned stimulus. Conditioned reflexes for time - a special kind of trace conditioned reflexes. They are formed with a regular unconditioned stimulus and can be developed for various time intervals - from a few seconds to several hours or even days. Apparently, various periodic processes occurring in the body can serve as a guideline in the countdown of time. The phenomenon of counting time by the body is often called the "biological clock".

By the nature of the reception allocate:

exteroceptive conditioned reflexes are produced in response to environmental stimuli that address exteroreceptors (visual, auditory). These reflexes play a role in the relationship of the organism with the environment, therefore, they are formed relatively quickly.
Interoceptive are formed by a combination of irritation of the internal organs with some kind of unconditioned reflex. They are produced much more slowly and are characterized by high inertia.
reflexes arise when a combination of irritations of proprioreceptors with an unconditioned reflex (for example, flexion of a dog's paw, reinforced by food).

By the nature of the efferent response conditioned reflexes are divided into two types:

Somatomotor. A conditioned reflex motor reaction can manifest itself in the form of such movements as blinking, chewing, etc.
Vegetative. Conditioned reactions of vegetative conditioned reflexes are manifested in changes in the activity of various internal organs - heart rate, respiration, changes in the lumen of blood vessels, the level of metabolism, etc. For example, alcoholics in the clinic are quietly injected with a substance that causes vomiting, and when it begins to act, they give them a sniff of vodka. They start vomiting and they think it's from the vodka. After numerous repetitions, they vomit already from one type of vodka without this substance.

A special group includes imitative conditioned reflexes , characteristic feature which is that they are produced in an animal or a person without his active participation in the process of development, are formed by observing the development of these reflexes in another animal or person. On the basis of the imitative reflex, speech motor acts and many social skills are formed in children.

L.V. Krushinsky singled out a group of conditioned reflexes, which he called extrapolation. Their peculiarity lies in the fact that motor reactions arise not only to a specific conditioned stimulus, but also to the direction of its movement. Anticipation of the direction of movement occurs from the first presentation of the stimulus without prior. At present, the extrapolation reflex used to study complex forms not only animals, but also humans. This methodical technique found wide application for the study of brain activity in human ontogenesis. Its use on twins makes it possible to talk about the role of genetic factors in the implementation of behavioral reactions.

A special place in the system of conditioned reflexes is occupied by temporary connections that close between indifferent stimuli (when, for example, light and sound are combined), called . In this case, the orienting reaction serves as an unconditional reinforcement. The formation of these temporary connections takes place in three stages: the stage of the appearance of an orienting reaction to both stimuli, the stage of developing a conditioned orienting reflex, and the stage of extinction of the orienting reaction to both stimuli. After extinction, the connection between these stimuli is preserved. This type of reaction is of particular importance for a person, since in a person a lot of connections are formed precisely with the help of associations.

Conditioned reflexes are reactions of the whole organism or any part of it to external or internal stimuli. They manifest themselves through the disappearance, weakening or strengthening of certain activities.

Conditioned reflexes are helpers of the body, allowing it to quickly respond to any changes and adapt to them.

Story

The idea of a conditioned reflex was first put forward French philosopher and scientist R. Descartes. Somewhat later, the Russian physiologist I. Sechenov created and experimentally proved new theory concerning the reactions of the body. For the first time in the history of physiology, it was concluded that conditioned reflexes are a mechanism that is activated not only in its work, the entire nervous system is involved. This allows the body to maintain contact with the environment.

Studied Pavlov. This outstanding Russian scientist was able to explain the mechanism of action of the cerebral cortex and cerebral hemispheres. At the beginning of the 20th century, he created the theory of conditioned reflexes. The treatise was a real revolution in physiology. Scientists have proven that conditioned reflexes are reactions of the body that are acquired throughout life, based on unconditioned reflexes.

instincts

Certain reflexes of an unconditioned type are characteristic of each type of living organism. They are called instincts. Some of them are quite complex. Examples of this are bees that make honeycombs, or birds that build nests. Due to the presence of instincts, the body is able to optimally adapt to environmental conditions.

Are congenital. They are inherited. In addition, they are classified as species, since they are characteristic of all representatives of a particular species. Instincts are permanent and persist throughout life. They manifest themselves in response to adequate stimuli that are attached to a certain single receptive field. Physiologically, unconditioned reflexes are closed in the brainstem and at the level of the spinal cord. They are manifested through anatomically expressed

As for the monkey and man, the implementation of most of the complex unconditioned reflexes is impossible without the participation of the cerebral cortex. When its integrity is violated, pathological changes unconditioned reflexes, and some of them simply disappear.

Classification of instincts

Unconditioned reflexes are very strong. Only under certain conditions, when their manifestation becomes optional, they can disappear. For example, the canary, domesticated about three hundred years ago, does not currently have the instinct to make a nest. There are the following types of unconditioned reflexes:

Which is the body's response to a variety of physical or chemical stimuli. Such reflexes, in turn, may be local (withdrawal of the hand) or complex (flight from danger).
- Food instinct, which is caused by hunger and appetite. This unconditioned reflex includes a whole chain of sequential actions - from searching for prey to attacking it and further eating.
- Parental and sexual instincts associated with the maintenance and reproduction of the species.

Comfort instinct for keeping the body clean (bathing, scratching, shaking, etc.).
- Approximate instinct, when the eyes and head turn towards the stimulus. This reflex is necessary to save life.
- The instinct of freedom, which is especially pronounced in the behavior of animals in captivity. They constantly want to break free and often die, refusing water and food.

The emergence of conditioned reflexes

In the course of life, acquired reactions of the organism are added to the inherited instincts. They are called conditioned reflexes. They are acquired by the body as a result of individual development. The basis for obtaining conditioned reflexes is life experience. Unlike instincts, these reactions are individual. They may be present in some members of the species and absent in others. In addition, a conditioned reflex is a reaction that may not persist throughout life. Under certain conditions, it is produced, fixed, disappears. Conditioned reflexes are reactions that can occur to various stimuli applied to different receptor fields. This is their difference from instincts.

The mechanism of the conditioned reflex closes at the level. If it is removed, then only instincts remain.

The formation of conditioned reflexes occurs on the basis of unconditioned ones. For the implementation of this process, a certain condition must be met. At the same time, any change in the external environment must be combined in time with internal state organism and be perceived by the cerebral cortex with a simultaneous unconditional reaction of the organism. Only in this case does a conditioned stimulus or signal appear that contributes to the emergence of a conditioned reflex.

Examples

For the appearance of such a reaction of the body as the release of saliva at the ringing of knives and forks, as well as at the knock of a cup for feeding an animal (in humans and dogs, respectively), an indispensable condition is the repeated coincidence of these sounds with the process of providing food.

In the same way, the sound of a bell or the switching on of a light bulb will cause the dog's paw to flex if these phenomena are repeatedly accompanied by electrical stimulation of the animal's leg, as a result of which an unconditioned flexion reflex appears.

The conditioned reflex is pulling the child's hands away from the fire and then crying. However, these phenomena will take place only if the type of fire, even once, coincided with the receipt of a burn.

Reaction components

The body's response to irritation is a change in breathing, secretion, movement, etc. As a rule, unconditioned reflexes are quite complex reactions. That is why they include several components at once. For example, a defensive reflex is accompanied not only by defensive movements, but also by an increase in breathing, an acceleration of the activity of the heart muscle, and a change in the composition of the blood. In this case, voice reactions may also appear. As for the food reflex, there are also respiratory, secretory and cardiovascular components.

Conditional reactions usually reproduce the structure of unconditioned ones. This occurs in connection with the excitation of stimuli of the same nerve centers.

Classification of conditioned reflexes

Acquired body responses to various stimuli are divided into types. Some of the existing classifications are of great importance in solving not only theoretical, but also practical problems. One of the areas of application of this knowledge is sports activities.

Natural and artificial reactions of the body

There are conditioned reflexes that arise under the action of signals characteristic of the constant properties of unconditioned stimuli. An example of this is the sight and smell of food. Such conditioned reflexes are natural. They are characterized by the speed of production and great durability. natural reflexes, even in the absence of subsequent reinforcement, can be maintained throughout life. The value of the conditioned reflex is especially great at the very first stages of the life of the organism, when it adapts to environment.
However, reactions can also be developed to a variety of indifferent signals, such as smell, sound, temperature changes, light, etc. Under natural conditions, they are not irritants. It is these reactions that are called artificial. They are developed slowly and in the absence of reinforcement quickly disappear. For example, artificial conditioned human reflexes are reactions to the sound of a bell, touching the skin, weakening or strengthening lighting, etc.

First and highest order

There are such types of conditioned reflexes that are formed on the basis of unconditioned ones. These are first order reactions. There are also higher categories. So, reactions that are developed on the basis of already existing conditioned reflexes are referred to as reactions of a higher order. How do they arise? During the development of such conditioned reflexes, the indifferent signal is reinforced with well-learned conditioned stimuli.

For example, irritation in the form of a call is constantly reinforced by food. In this case, a first-order conditioned reflex is developed. On its basis, a reaction to another stimulus, for example, to light, can be fixed. This will become a second-order conditioned reflex.

Positive and negative reactions

Conditioned reflexes can affect the activity of the organism. Such reactions are considered positive. The manifestation of these conditioned reflexes can be secretory or motor functions. If there is no activity of the organism, then the reactions are classified as negative. For the process of adaptation to the constantly changing conditions of the environment of existence, both one and the second type are of great importance.

At the same time, there is a close relationship between them, since when one kind of activity is manifested, another is certainly oppressed. For example, when the command “Attention!” Sounds, the muscles are in a certain position. At the same time, motor reactions (running, walking, etc.) are inhibited.

Mechanism of education

Conditioned reflexes arise with the simultaneous action of a conditioned stimulus and an unconditioned reflex. In this case, certain conditions must be met:

The unconditioned reflex is biologically stronger;
- the manifestation of the conditioned stimulus is somewhat ahead of the action of the instinct;
- the conditioned stimulus is necessarily reinforced by the influence of the unconditioned;
- the body must be in a waking state and be healthy;
- the condition of the absence of extraneous stimuli producing a distracting effect is observed.

The centers of conditioned reflexes located in the cerebral cortex establish a temporary connection (short circuit) between themselves. In this case, stimulation is perceived by cortical neurons, which are part of the arc of the unconditioned reflex.

Inhibition of conditioned reactions

In order to ensure adequate behavior of the organism and for better adaptation to environmental conditions, the development of conditioned reflexes alone will not be enough. It will take the opposite direction of action. It is the inhibition of conditioned reflexes. This is the process of eliminating those reactions of the body that are not necessary. According to the theory developed by Pavlov, there are certain types cortical inhibition. The first of these is the unconditional. It appears as a response to the action of some extraneous stimulus. There is also internal inhibition. It's called conditional.

External braking

This reaction received such a name due to the fact that its development is facilitated by the processes taking place in those parts of the cortex that do not take part in the implementation of reflex activity. For example, a foreign smell, sound, or change in lighting before the onset of the food reflex can reduce it or promote it. complete disappearance. The new stimulus acts as a brake on the conditioned response.

Food reflexes can also be eliminated by painful stimuli. Overflow contributes to the inhibition of the body's reaction. Bladder, vomiting, internal inflammatory processes, etc. All of them inhibit food reflexes.

Internal braking

It occurs when the received signal is not reinforced by an unconditioned stimulus. Internal inhibition of conditioned reflexes occurs if, for example, an electric light bulb is periodically turned on in front of the eyes of an animal during the day, without bringing food. It has been experimentally proven that saliva production will decrease each time. As a result, the reaction will die out completely. However, the reflex will not disappear without a trace. He just slows down. This has also been proven experimentally.

Conditioned inhibition of conditioned reflexes can be eliminated the very next day. However, if this is not done, then the reaction of the body to this stimulus will subsequently disappear forever.

Varieties of internal inhibition

Classify several types of elimination of the body's response to stimuli. Thus, at the basis of the disappearance of conditioned reflexes, which are simply not needed under given specific conditions, is extinction inhibition. There is another variation of this phenomenon. This is a distinctive, or differentiated inhibition. So, the animal can distinguish the number of beats of the metronome at which food is brought to it. This happens when the given conditioned reflex has been previously worked out. The animal distinguishes stimuli. This reaction is based on internal inhibition.

The Importance of Eliminating Reactions

Conditioned inhibition plays a significant role in the life of the organism. Thanks to him, the process of adaptation to the environment is much better. Possibility of orientation in various difficult situations gives a combination of excitation and inhibition, which are two forms of a single nervous process.

Conclusion

Conditioned reflexes exist infinite set. They are the factor that determines the behavior of a living organism. With the help of conditioned reflexes, animals and humans adapt to their environment.

There are many indirect signs of body reactions that have a signal value. For example, an animal, knowing in advance about the approach of danger, builds its behavior in a certain way.

The process of developing conditioned reflexes, which belong to the highest order, is a synthesis of temporary connections.

The basic principles and regularities manifested in the formation of not only complex, but also elementary reactions are the same for all living organisms. This leads to an important conclusion for philosophy and natural sciences that cannot but obey the general laws of biology. In this regard, it can be studied objectively. However, it should be borne in mind that the activity of the human brain has a qualitative specificity and a fundamental difference from the work of the brain of an animal.